Sportsvival spent Week 12 glued to film and box scores, hunting for the single performance that swung a weekend and deserved the Impact HVAC badge. We looked for dominance, game-changing plays, and playoff-level momentum. After reviewing every high-impact outing, our pick for Week 12 is a workhorse who exploded in a rivalry atmosphere and reinforced why he’s quietly leading the nation in rushing.
Impact HVAC Player of the Week
Ahmad Hardy — RB, Missouri Line: 25 carries; 300 rushing yards; 5 rushing TDs
Missouri’s dynamic back Ahmad Hardy earns the Impact HVAC Player of the Week after a transcendent outing in the Tigers’ win over Mississippi State. Hardy carried the offense on his shoulders, ripping off chunk runs, finishing inside the tackles, and converting short-yardage situations into points. His 300-yard, five-touchdown day wasn’t just volume, it was efficiency, timing, and finishing in short-yardage and open-field opportunities that swung the game and put Missouri squarely in control.
Why Hardy got the nod
Hardy’s performance combined elite burst, contact balance, and a nose for the end zone. He forced Mississippi State to game-plan around him, and every time the Bulldogs crowded the box, Hardy still found creases with decisive vision and downhill gear. His five touchdowns came in a mix of red-zone power and explosive boundary plays, and his 300 yards flipped field position all afternoon. Equally important: Hardy’s ability to sustain drives late in the game closed out possessions and drained clock, the kind of two-fold impact voters value.
What separates this outing from other monster games is context: Hardy delivered against a formidable SEC front. Even though he’s been quietly piling up yards all season, this was a statement performance that forced national attention.
Under the radar but leading the nation
Despite leading the country in rushing yards, Ahmad Hardy has flown under many radars until now. That quiet accumulation of production is part of his profile. Consistent, rarely flashy off-field hype, but impossible to ignore on game day. This Week 12 explosion should change that narrative: Hardy now pairs gaudy stats and a highlight-reel box score voters and NFL scouts will remember.
Other big weeks around college football
Dani Dennis-Sutton — Edge, Penn State: 2 sacks; 13 quarterback pressures. A disruptive pass-rush day that altered the opposing game plan.
Jeremiyah Love — RB, Notre Dame: 23 attempts; 147 yards; 1 rushing TD. Tough, north-south workload that kept drives alive.
Kenyon Sadiq — TE, Oregon: 8 receptions; 96 yards; 1 receiving TD. High-volume target who moved the chains and changed red-zone looks.
Fernando Mendoza — QB, Indiana: 22-24 passing; 299 yards; 4 passing TDs. Near-perfect efficiency and explosive scoring drives.
Caleb Hawkins — RB, North Texas: 27 carries; 189 yards; 5 rushing TDs. Massive touchdown production and relentless touches.
Jakobe Thomas — S, Miami (FL): 3 tackles; 2 interceptions; 1 interception return TD. Game-changing turnover performance.
Each of these players delivered high-impact moments: power rushing with scoring finishes, relentless pass-rush pressure, quarterback precision, and turnover-flipping defensive plays. They were all in the conversation, but Hardy’s combination of volume, explosive yardage, touchdown total, and game control gave him the edge.
(photo courtesy of Mizzou Athletics)