Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy isn’t just leading the country in rushing yards, he’s making it look unfair. Week after week, Hardy’s performances are pushing him from a local favorite into the national spotlight, and it’s getting harder to argue against his place among college football’s elite.
Hardy’s numbers are staggering. After piling up 130 yards and three touchdowns in Missouri’s 42-6 win over UMass, he surged past UTSA’s Robert Henry to become the nation’s top rusher. He’s now cleared 730 yards through five games, more than 100 yards ahead of his closest competitor.
What separates Hardy is how he does it. Of his 730 yards, 544 have come after contact. That alone would rank him fifth nationally. He’s also forced 48 missed tackles, averaging nearly 10 per game, numbers usually reserved for Heisman contenders.
The pace is historic. Hardy’s 146 yards per game put him within reach of Missouri’s single-season rushing record of 1,627 yards, set by Cody Schrader in 2023. He’s already opened the season with five straight 100-yard games, tying a feat last seen from Hall of Famer Joe Moore in 1969.
If Hardy keeps this up, he won’t just lead the country, he’ll redefine what it means to be the best player in it.
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