Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy has one final opportunity to make his case for the Doak Walker Award. In the regular-season finale against Arkansas this Saturday, the sophomore’s performance will serve as a closing argument to the committee that selects the nation’s top collegiate running back.
On Tuesday, Hardy was named one of three finalists for the prestigious honor, joining Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love and Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy, a former Tiger. The winner will be announced during the College Football Awards ceremony on December 12, meaning postseason games will not influence the vote. Consequently, Saturday’s games represent the last chance for all three candidates to impress the selection board.
Hardy is the third Mizzou running back in five years to be named a finalist, following Tyler Badie in 2021 and Cody Schrader in 2023. Neither predecessor won the award, and no Missouri player has claimed the honor since its inception in 1990.
Entering the final week, Hardy leads his competitors with 1,403 rushing yards, which ranks second nationally. However, Lacy and Love hold an advantage in rushing touchdowns with 19 and 17, respectively, compared to Hardy’s 15. Love also leads in total yardage, bolstered by 274 receiving yards. While Hardy may be considered an underdog, particularly with Love facing a 4-7 Stanford team, he has a unique opportunity against Arkansas.
The Razorbacks are the only team to have faced all three Doak Walker finalists this season. Their defense proved formidable against the other two candidates, holding Love to 57 yards and Lacy to 44 yards—their second-lowest rushing totals of the year. A standout performance by Hardy against a defense that stifled his competition would provide a compelling data point in his favor.
Beyond the award, Hardy is also chasing program history. He is 225 yards shy of Cody Schrader’s single-season rushing record of 1,627 yards, set in 2023. Breaking the record in Fayetteville is a tall order, as it would require far exceeding his average of 128 yards per game. Yet, the Louisiana-Monroe transfer has already recorded two games with over 250 rushing yards this season, demonstrating his explosive potential.
Regardless of Saturday’s outcome, Hardy’s 2025 campaign is already one of the most productive in Mizzou history. His current rushing total ranks fifth all-time for the Tigers, and his 15 touchdowns are tied for seventh. This weekend, however, offers a rare chance to solidify a legendary season by potentially securing a major national award and rewriting the university’s record books.
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