Mario Anderson is not running away from the expectations that go along with being a Memphis football running back.
The South Carolina transfer (5-9, 208) is acutely aware of the Tigers’ lofty lineage of top-flight rushers. DeAngelo Williams (Memphis’ all-time leading rusher) paved the way for the likes of Tony Pollard, Kenneth Gainwell, Antonio Gibson, Patrick Taylor and Darrell Henderson − each of whom have made the move from Memphis to the NFL in recent years.
While Anderson is proud of his 84 overall rating on the new EA Sports “College Football 25” video game (which saw a limited release Monday), he has a plan to put up some real-life video game numbers for the Tigers in the fall.
“I feel like y’all gonna see a lot of that this year. I am going after DeAngelo Williams’ record,” Anderson said, referring to the single-season mark of 1,964 yards Williams put up in 2005. “I do set my standards very high, and (Williams’ standards) are the highest, so I do believe I can go for that record, and you know, it gives me a little challenge as well, for the upcoming season.”
Anderson and four teammates (Seth Henigan, Elijah Herring, Jaylen Nichols and Jordan Grier) spent Tuesday morning at FedExForum packing 10,000 USO toiletry care packages to distribute to military personnel across the globe. The event was part of FedEx’s name, image and likeness (NIL) deal with Memphis athletics, which was announced in April.
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Anderson rushed for 707 yards and three touchdowns (on 143 carries) for the Gamecocks in 2023. He and his Tigers teammates kick the season off against North Alabama at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium (6 p.m., Aug. 31).
Reach sports writer Josh Crawford at joshua.crawford@commercialappeal.com or on X @JCrawford5656
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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis football: Mario Anderson going after DeAngelo Williams record
The Commercial Appeal
