A torrential downpour in Tampa couldn't slow down Bucky Irving. The former Oregon Ducks star was the heart of the offense for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, leading his team to a 16-0 victory at home over the Atlanta Falcons.
Irving's white jersey turned into camouflage playing through the rain and mud in harsh conditions. Still, it did matter for the third-year tailback. Irving set career highs with 27 carries and 170 rushing yards with one touchdown. He reset his career-high rushing total after racking up 165 yards against the Dallas Cowboys a few weeks ago.
The Buccaneers did all of their work on the ground, setting a franchise record with 323 yards on the ground. Irving's teammate, Kenny Gainwell, also rushed for 140 yards.
"I'm not going
to lie to you, I don't know the last time I checked the weather for a football game," Irving said after the game. "We're gonna have to play in it anyway. Rain, snow, muddy, you're gonna have to play in it. This is that little league football; you wake up on Sunday, nobody's gonna come to save you. Unless there's lightning, that'll save you."
Bucky Irving TD!
— NFL (@NFL) November 1, 2026
He's up to 169 yards!
ATLvsTB on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/PsIV3YPlxE
Irving's performance wasn't just remarkable because of the conditions, but it helped the Buccaneers turn back the clock and win unusually. The Buccaneers didn't complete any of Baker Mayfield's three pass attempts and became the first team since 1974 to win a game without a completed pass. It's only the second time a team has not completed a pass in a game in the Super Bowl era.
In just his third season as a pro, the former Duck is on pace for his best season in the NFL. Irving has 728 rushing yards and five touchdowns this season and is on pace to top 1,500 yards this season. He has already surpassed the 100-yard mark in three games this season and will continue to be relied upon as the Buccaneers climb back in playoff contention after starting 0-4.
"I have a mentality each and every time I get the ball. I get mad when the first man brings me down," Irving said. "Every game is going to be different. You're gonna have some games where you gotta take the dirty runs, or there's not gonna be many lanes, but being able to take what the defense gives you and keep that quest every week."
Irving spent two seasons at Oregon, playing alongside Bo Nix, after transferring from Minnesota. Irving rushed for 2,238 yards and 16 touchdowns as a Duck, while adding another 712 yards and five scores as a receiver. He was known for his contact balance in Eugene and his ability to rip off big runs at a moment's notice. Irving was drafted in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the No. 125 overall pick.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Bucky Irving runs wild, posts career day for Buccaneers in win
