Ahmad Hardy had all the reason in the world for his sensational Saturday to be inspired by something selfish.

He was a no-star recruit from rural Oma, Mississippi, who never got a look out of high school from Mississippi State — Missouri football's opponent Saturday in a 49-27 drubbing on Faurot Field. And Hardy’s 300 rushing yards in the win, the second-best single-game day in Mizzou history, were personal, sure.

But there was more, and Hardy brushed away any chip-on-the-shoulder chatter as fast as his 72-yard touchdown run, when he set a personal record by touching 21 miles-per-hour.

Hardy showed up to his postgame press conference with the number ‘9’ on his forearm. It was for Zion Young, a Mizzou team captain, defensive end and graduating senior who wears No. 9 — and was wearing

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