FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy returned to the field for the No. 23 Tigers on Saturday night at Arkansas, nearly six months after being wounded in the leg during a shooting at an outdoor concert.
Hardy entered the game late in the first quarter to an ovation from Missouri fans. He finished Missouri's 34-10 victory with two carries for 5 yards.
“It felt the same,” Hardy said about taking game contact. “My body is fully healed, so it’s nothing different. ... Everybody has been there every day (supporting), literally from coaches to staff to the players. Everybody has been real supportive and I’m taking heed to that.”
Hardy, who ran for 1,649 yards and a school-record 16 touchdowns in 2025, was attending a concert in Laurel, Mississippi, in his home state, when he was shot in the leg as a bystander on May 10. Police made an arrest in the shooting and charged the suspect with two felony counts of aggravated assault.
There have been few details released about the extent of Hardy’s various injuries. Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz indicated this week that the 20-year-old back needed to have a metal rod inserted in his femur, the large bone in the upper part of the leg.
Hardy said physically being off the field during his recovery led to his mind wandering at times. But he noted that he pushed through by reading his Bible and sticking close to teammates.
“Me, mentally, I’m a very strong mental person,” Hardy said. “Whatever I put my mind to, I can do it. If the good Lord said I can do it then I can do it.”
Drinkwitz gave Hardy a shoutout in his opening statement following the win.
“I want to say I’m really, really proud of Ahmad Hardy,” Drinkwitz said. “It’s been a long road to get back here. It’s been a very difficult challenge for everybody. ... To be able to come in here and get us a big first down, I’m really proud of him.”
Jamal Roberts, the Tigers’ leading rusher entering the weekend, rushed for 138 yards and a touchdown against the Razorbacks. He was happy to see Hardy return to the lineup.
“He was in good spirits,” Roberts said about Hardy. “Probably a little bit emotional just knowing the situation he came from, but that’s part of it. He’s still in good spirits, still has high hopes and is in good prayers
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