Bucky Irving, Bo Nix reaffirm that they'll play for Oregon in Fiesta Bowl vs. Liberty
Two of Oregon’s best offensive players affirmed on Friday that they’d be playing for the Ducks in the Fiesta Bowl against Liberty, as quarterback Bo Nix and running back Bucky Irving posted on social media to reflect their intent. Nix had previously said he planned to play in the bowl.
With opt-outs for NFL-bound players commonplace now, Nix and Irving would’ve been logical candidates to sit out the bowl game. Instead, the duo will be running out one last time for the Ducks.
“One more time,” Nix said in a caption to an Instagram video, posted dually by him and Irving, showing their intention to play in the bowl game.
Nix was a Heisman finalist quarterback in 2023 and Irving was one of the most explosive tailbacks in the country. And despite Oregon missing the College Football Playoff, both will run it back one last time as Ducks in the bowl game.
Nix previously explained his plans to play in the bowl
Nix made the decision to play in the Fiesta Bowl when Oregon faces Liberty on Jan. 1. He appeared on SportsCenter and explained why.
“Well, I know it’s my last ever game. I know it’s the last one in college,” Nix said. “And after what happened last week, I just don’t want to end it on that note. I want the chance to go out there and do it in another game and win another game for Oregon.”
The Ducks were in the national title conversation for much of the season, before coming up short in the Pac-12 Championship Game against Washington.
That loss dropped Oregon from the College Football Playoff to the Fiesta Bowl. It was a tough loss for Nix and the Ducks, but he’s thankful for one more opportunity to end his career on a high note.
“We’re going to have to work really hard for this one,” Nix said. “We know Liberty’s a really good team. And they’ve had a great season. So I just want to go out there and have a chance to win another game and go play again and have one last shot at college football.”
Nix was a five-star recruit coming out of high school and signed with Auburn in the class of 2019. He combined for 28 touchdowns and 13 interceptions over his two seasons with the Tigers, while completing less than 60 percent of his passes both years.
After two years, he entered the transfer portal and has certainly turned things around at Oregon.
Nix leads the nation in completion percentage at 77.2 percent, is tied for the lead in passing touchdowns with 40 and is second in passing yards with 4,145.