It took just one season for Bucky Irving to become a star in the NFL. On Sunday night, after an incredible year for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the former Oregon running back's season came to an end when Tampa Bay lost to the Washington Commanders in an NFC Wild Card game.
Despite Irving's 83-yard game, the Buccaneers struggled to find their footing offensively and only found the end zone twice – one on a 4-yard pass to Irving.
The former Duck and the Tampa Bay team finished their season with a 10-7 overall record and Irving made a name for himself in the league.
BUC-KY! BUC-KY! BUC-KY!
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 13, 2025
📺: #WASvsTB on NBC pic.twitter.com/hAXjJsvH3K
Irving finished the Playoff game with 77 rushing yards, 6 receiving yards, and 1 touchdown through the air – a relatively slow day for the former Oregon running back.
Bucky Irving rookie season stats
- 1,122 rushing yards
- 8 rushing touchdowns
- 47 receptions
- 392 receiving yards
- 1 receiving touchdown
Throughout the season, Irving wowed the league with his yards after contact (881 rushing YAC) and his ability to evade tackles. He led rookie running backs in total scrimmage yards (1,514) and touchdowns on the ground (8).
Irving also led the rookie running backs in receiving yards with his 392 yards through the air this season which was the sixth most on the Buccaneers' offense. The Duck played in less than 35 percent of Tampa Bay's offensive snaps this season as veteran running back Rachaad White played most of the stats for the Bucs.
Former Oregon quarterbacks Bo Nix, on the Denver Broncos, and Justin Herbert, on the Los Angeles Chargers, also had their postseason hopes dashed in the Wild Card round over the weekend.