While dealing with the disappointment of Thursday’s narrow loss to Army in the Armed Forces Bowl, the SMU Mustangs got some good news: sophomore wide receiver Darius Johnson — the Mustangs’ Outstanding Player of the Game — said he will be back in the spring semester, and will be eligible for full participation in spring workouts.

The announcement is of interest because of an internet report that was published days before the game that said he had been suspended for the spring semester or the next academic year.

Darius Johnson said he will be eligible during the spring and is focused on assuming a leadership role with the 2011 Mustangs (photo by Webmaster).

While he admits that he has to improve his academic performance, that report, Johnson said, is untrue.

“I’ll be back next semester, and I look forward to being one of the leaders of this team,” he said. “I have some extra work to do with my teachers, but I’m OK.”

Johnson said his academic status was in some doubt before the bowl game until his final grades were posted, and he admitted that his academic future weighed on his mind during the Mustangs’ preparation for the bowl game.

“It was,” he said when asked if his academic standing had been on his mind. But he added that his performance — Johnson earned his team’s MVP honor after catching nine passes for 152 yards and a touchdown — didn’t surprise him. “When I get out on the field, my mind just goes.”

Johnson stopped short of saying he expected to turn in a big game, but said that the Army defense the Mustangs studied before the game seemed like one that would allow him to enjoy some success.

“They know ‘Al’ (senior wide receiver Aldrick Robinson) likes to go deep,” Johnson said. “Once the safety goes with him (and a cornerback), I’m able to find room underneath.”

Johnson, like his teammates, was subdued after the game, but appeared energized when the conversation turned to his return to the team next year. In his effort to become assume more of a leadership role, Johnson said he will try to emulate some of what he learned from former teammates Emmanuel Sanders and Robinson.

“They were more vocal than I am,” Johnson said, laughing. (After his press conference, head coach June Jones joked that Johnson’s answers to reporters’ questions were “more than I’ve heard him talk in two years.”)

Johnson said he will be a quieter leader, but an effective one, nonetheless. That leadership, he said, will extend from the playing field to the practice field to the team’s offseason conditioning program … and yes, to the classroom.

“I try to lead by example,” he said. “If I can continue to help some of the younger guys, I will.”

In addition to freshman Keenan Holman, who caught three passes for 36 yards in the Saturday’s game, Johnson quickly named two more who he said will be significant contributors to the SMU offense: freshmen Jeremy Johnson and Larry Centers, Jr.

Darius Johnson left the locker room much the same way many of his teammates did: feeling down over a disappointing loss, a game most of the Mustangs felt they could have won, and many felt should have won. But when pushed a little, he allowed himself to start thinking already about the 2011 season and his goals for next year’s Ponies.

“Definitely another bowl game, and our goal will be to win the conference championship,” he said. “I wish we won it for this year’s seniors, but we didn’t, so that’s our goal — win the conference championship … no more conference losses.

“We have got a lot of experienced players coming back next year, and we’re getting better. We have a chance to reach our goals.”