Down 17-0 in the second quarter, Buccaneers' rookie running back Bucky Irving ignited the offense. From first-and-10, Irving went in motion and then flowed back towards the right, taking the handoff from Baker Mayfield. Irving initially cut through the B-gap as Graham Barton climbed to the second level extending a block. He bounced to the outside and accelerated for a 32-yard run. On the same drive a couple plays later, Irving brought the Bucs to first-and-goal on a 13-yard gain. His production set up Chris Godwin's touchdown and gave the Bucs' offense a jolt of electricity. Irving led the Bucs on the ground, finishing the day with 70 yards on nine carries, averaging 7.8 yards per tote. The offense clicked on the aforementioned six-play, 67-yard drive and Irving was the catalyst.
"The opportunities he gets, he makes the best of and he is a heck of a football player," noted Head Coach Todd Bowles. "We just have to get him more opportunities."
The Bucs' selected Irving in the fourth round (125 overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft and the Oregon product became a bright spot on Sunday for Tampa Bay. As a complementary back to Rachaad White, Irving provides explosion as a slippery runner when he takes the field.
At five-foot-nine, 195 pounds, Irving may not be the largest running back, but he runs with power. He boasts a pass-catching upside and has elevated the Bucs' screen game. With rare lateral cut agility, outstanding contact balance and downhill charge, Irving has helped solidify the Bucs' running back room. He runs with good vision and elite acceleration on the perimeter. Irving's foot quickness allows him to weave through traffic and force missed tackles in tight spaces.
For the Ducks in 2023, Irving amassed 1,180 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns during his breakout season, and he led all FBS backs with 56 receptions. Irving adds another dimension to the Bucs' backfield and against the Broncos in Week Three, Irving provided a surge the home team desperately needed.
