Memphis football running back Mario Anderson 'going after' DeAngelo Williams' record

Mario Anderson is not running away from the expectations that go along with being a Memphis football running back.

The South Carolina transfer is acutely aware of the Tigers' lofty lineage of top-flight rushers. DeAngelo Williams, who is 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 the 5-foot-9, 208-pound Anderson is proud of his 84 overall rating on the new EA Sports "College Football 25" video game released Monday, he has a plan to put up some real-life video game numbers for the Tigers in 2024.

"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 along with teammates Seth Henigan, Elijah Herring, Jaylen Nichols and Jordan Grier spent Tuesday at FedExForum packing 10,000 USO toiletry care packages to distribute to military personnel across the globe. The event was part of FedEx's NIL deal with Memphis athletics.

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Anderson rushed for 707 yards and three touchdowns on 143 carries for the Gamecocks in 2023.

The Tigers open the season off against North Alabama at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on Aug. 31 (6 p.m., ESPN+).

Reach sports writer Josh Crawford at joshua.crawford@commercialappeal.com or on X @JCrawford5656

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