After becoming a Doak Walker finalist for the best rusher in the nation, star running back Ahmad Hardy now has another accolade to add to his incredible 2025 season.
In the fourth quarter of the Gator Bowl, Hardy became the Tigers' single-season rushing record holder on a 12-yard scamper. He broke the previous record of 1,627 yards which was held by Cody Schrader. Hardy finished the game with 89 yards on the ground.
Ahmad Hardy sets school record in otherwise quiet night for Mizzou
Hardy, who rushed for 1,560 yards and 16 touchdowns in the regular season, needed just 68 yards to break Schrader's record. Surprisingly, it took him until the last period of the Gator Bowl to do it after unleashing a 43-yard run on the Tigers' first drive of the game. His first touch in the second half didn't come until 4:17 minutes left in the game.
Hardy was the lone bright spot on the Tiger offense, which struggled to move the ball after the first touchdown drive. Quarterback Matt Zollers threw for just 101 yards and one interception for Mizzou in the tough loss. Fellow running back Jamal Roberts, who scored the only touchdown for the Tigers, also had a fairly quiet night, rushing for just 56 yards.
The Tigers had no answers for Virginia in the second half, and had a disappointing night all around except for Hardy's record-breaking efforts. Luckily for Mizzou, Hardy is already confirmed to be back for 2026, and will once again headline one of the nation's best rushing attacks.