In the Gator Bowl, Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy fell short of breaking the single-season rushing record by just four yards, finishing with 89 yards to reach 1,649 for the season. Despite his performance, he received limited carries in the second half due to Virginia’s long offensive drives and missed opportunities by Mizzou. Coach Eli Drinkwitz explained that the situation dictated this outcome, not a specific game plan. Hardy, a consensus All-American and Doak Walker Award finalist, has announced he will return to Mizzou next season.
