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Buccaneers Bucky Irving Ends Fantastic Rookie Year With Record-Breaking Playoff Debut

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving scores a touchdown between New Orleans Saints defensive end Carl Granderson (96) and cornerback Will Harris (5) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. The Buccaneers won 27-19. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken

By Bucs Report – Special to Sports Talk Florida

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ season concluded at Raymond James Stadium with a 23-20 wildcard loss to the Washington Commanders. Rookie running back Bucky Irving’s impressive debut campaign ended on a bittersweet note, but his significant on-field contributions to the NFC South division champions are undeniable.

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Rob Gronkowski Discussed Possible Comeback With Tampa Bay Buccaneers

“We thought maybe he would be a second-day pick, but he falls to the third day. I think even talking to him, when Jason [Licht] called him, he had a little bit of a chip on his shoulder, thinking he should have gone earlier. We kind of like that. He’s just another right kind of character guy that we’ve been targeting. He fits that mold.” stated Buccaneers director of player personnel Mike Biehl after they drafted him.

According to the Buccaneers’ Communications department, Bucky Irving broke Warrick Dunn’s franchise playoff record for most single-game rushing yards by a rookie. Irving’s impressive performance included 77 yards on 17 carries and a receiving touchdown on two receptions, surpassing Dunn’s 1997 record of 72 yards against the Detroit Lions. By season’s end, Irving had not only emerged as the Buccaneers’ most dynamic player but had also established himself as one of the NFL’s top running backs.

The Buccaneers’ 2024 regular season rushing attack was highly effective, averaging 5.25 yards per carry, the third-best mark in the NFL. Notably, this represents a significant 1.81-yard increase from the previous season’s 3.44 average, the largest year-over-year improvement in the Super Bowl era. Key factors contributing to this success include the enhanced performance of the offensive line and offensive coordinator Liam Coen’s strategic play-calling, which often created favorable matchups. However, the primary driver behind this impressive statistic is the outstanding play of rookie running back Bucky Irving.

Irving capped off his impressive rookie season as the top rookie performer in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and all-purpose yards. His stats included 207 carries for 1,122 yards (5.4 yards per carry), eight rushing touchdowns, and 47 receptions for 392 yards, totaling 1,514 yards from scrimmage. Notably, Irving ranked tenth in total rushing yards across the entire league, despite having only the 19th most attempts. This highlights his exceptional efficiency, which is further supported by advanced statistics.

Irving’s impact extends beyond his statistics. Despite unremarkable measurables, his game footage against top-tier competition at Oregon revealed exceptional skills. Irving’s vision, acceleration, balance, and receiving ability were consistently on display. He shares a similar trajectory with players like Brian Branch and Creed Humphrey, who were overlooked in the draft but are now proving themselves as elite talents, leaving teams to wonder how they slipped through the cracks.

Irving is arguably the steal of the draft and should be a significant part of the Pewter Pirates offense in the years to come.

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Conference Championship Weekend is here

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college championship weekend The 2025 college football season kicks off with one of the most electrifying Week 1 slates in recent memory. With playoff contenders

Conference Championship weekend is here and it is the most decisive weekend has arrived, as the SEC, ACC, Big Ten, and Big 12 Championships take center stage. Four conference championships titles will be contested, each carrying massive implications for the College Football Playoff.

MUST READS – Sports Talk Florida and Sports Talk NY Fans

Alabama and Georgia clash in Atlanta for SEC supremacy, Ohio State battles Indiana in Indianapolis for the Big Ten crown, Duke faces Virginia in Charlotte for the ACC title, and Texas Tech meets BYU in Arlington for the Big 12 championship. With playoff spots hanging in the balance, every snap this weekend will shape the national picture and determine which programs advance to the sport’s ultimate stage.

SEC Title Game

The 2025 SEC Championship Game features the Alabama Crimson Tide (10-2) against the Georgia Bulldogs (11-1) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Kickoff is set for Saturday, December 6 at 4:00 p.m. ET (3:00 p.m. CT).

  • National Broadcast: ABC, ESPN+ streaming
  • Local Coverage: WSB-TV Channel 2 Atlanta, regional ESPN Radio affiliates

Alabama enters with momentum after a dramatic Iron Bowl win, while Georgia seeks revenge for its September loss to the Tide. The winner secures the SEC’s automatic bid to the College Football Playoff.

Big Ten Championship: Ohio State vs Indiana

For the first time, both teams enter undefeated (12-0). The Big Ten Championship Game will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Saturday, December 6 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

  • National Broadcast: FOX, streaming via FOX Sports app
  • Local Coverage: Big Ten Network pregame, regional FOX affiliates in Ohio and Indiana

Ohio State’s elite defense faces Indiana’s high-powered offense led by QB Fernando Mendoza. The winner likely claims the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.

ACC Championship: Duke vs Virginia

The ACC Conference Championship Game pits Virginia (10-2) against Duke (7-5) at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Kickoff is Saturday, December 6 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

  • National Broadcast: ABC, ESPN Radio
  • Local Coverage: Virginia Sports Radio Network, regional ABC affiliates in North Carolina and Virginia

Virginia dominated Duke earlier this season, but the Blue Devils, led by QB Darian Mensah, seek redemption. A Cavaliers win likely secures a College Football Playoff berth.

Big 12 Championship: Texas Tech vs BYU

The Big 12 Championship Game features Texas Tech (11-1) against BYU (11-1) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kickoff is Saturday, December 6 at 12:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. CT).

  • National Broadcast: ABC, streaming via ESPN app
  • Local Coverage: KSL-TV Utah, regional ABC affiliates in Texas

Texas Tech seeks to confirm its playoff spot, while BYU must win to secure the Big 12’s automatic bid. This rematch follows the Red Raiders’ November victory over the Cougars.

Bottom Line

Championship Weekend delivers four marquee matchups across the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12. With College Football Playoff bids on the line, fans nationwide can tune in via ABC, FOX, ESPN Radio, and regional affiliates to watch history unfold.





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India wants an Olympics

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Indian Olympic Association wants the 2036 Summer Olympics.

The IOC has a problem with tensions between India and Pakistan.

India wants to host the 2036 Summer Olympics and Paralympics events but there is a significant problem. India and Pakistan hostilities resurfaced following a deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir in late April. India blamed Pakistan for supporting the militants while Pakistan said don’t blame us. India’s government is planning to send a high-level delegation to the International Olympic Committee headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland beginning on June 30th. India wants to continue talks with IOC officials in an effort to host the 2036 Games. GEO News has reported Pakistan is planning to challenge India’s bid to host the Olympics by formally objecting to the IOC, claiming that India has politicized international sporting events. The Indian Olympic Association has officially submitted a Letter of Intent to the IOC. India plans to spend around $7.5 billion on the Games if the country lands the event. India has never bid for the Olympics event. They have the largest population of any country in the world with an estimated 1.4 billion people. It is a market that the IOC probably wants to enter.

The IOC probably will not award the 2036 Games for a few years. India is just one of a number of countries that could bid for the 2036 Games. The IOC no longer wants areas to bid against one another for its crown jewel events, the Summer and Winter Olympics, with the thought that the losing bidders would be upset. The truth is many areas don’t want to put up billions in whatever currency for a money losing event. The IOC has watched bids evaporate in the United States, Europe and in Japan. There are a number of countries that might be bidding for the 2036 Summer Games and that group includes  Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Germany, South Korea, Hungary and Qatar. The race for the 2036 Games has begun.

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Evan can be reached at evan_weiner@hotmail.com





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Exclusive: Lyon’s Moussa Niakhate Eyes Senegal’s Final Squad For AFCON 2025

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Lyon’s Senegalese defender Moussa Niakhate

Olympique Lyon defender Moussa Niakhate is setting his sights firmly on securing a place in Senegal’s final squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to kick off in Morocco on December 18.

Senegal have yet to unveil their provisional 55-man squad, but the 29-year-old remains optimistic about earning a call-up from head coach Pape Thiaw, who succeeded Alliou Cisse earlier this year.

Speaking about his ambitions during the AFCON trophy tour in Paris, Niakhate emphasised both his personal motivation and his pride in representing Senegal on Africa’s biggest football stage.

Niakhate told Sports Talk Florida: “My personal goal is to be in Morocco, especially because the official list has not been released yet.

“God willing, I will be healthy enough to attend and compete for the people of Senegal.”

Senegal’s Group D Challenge at AFCON 2025

Senegal have been drawn in Group D, where they will open their AFCON 2025 campaign against Botswana on December 23.

They will then face the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) before closing their group stage fixtures against Benin on Dececmber 30.

In anticipation of the battle ahead of the Teranga Lions, Niakhate insists the team must remain grounded.

“We all want it, and the Senegalese people want the AFCON title,” he said.

“The success in 2022 was exceptional, so we want to relive that feeling. But before anything, we have to take it one game at a time.” T

Senegal’s maiden AFCON triumph in Cameroon marked a historic moment for the country, with the team producing a remarkable campaign, going unbeaten in both the qualifiers and the main tournament.

Their victory sparked celebrations across the country and inspired a new generation of Senegalese footballers but they suffered a setback in the AFCON 2023.

After an unbeaten start to the tournament, they were eliminated in the round of 16 by host country and eventual champions Ivory Coast on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

With 2026 World Cup qualification already secured, Senegal now aim to cap off an impressive year with another deep run at this year’s continental fiesta in Morocco.

Niakhate’s form at Lyon

The 29-year-old defender joined Lyon from Nottingham Forest in 2024 and has become a leader in Paulo Fonseca’s squad with his crucial defensive performances.

Niakhate has been consistent in form, starting each of Lyon’s combined 19 matches in the French Ligue 1 and the UEFA Europa League so far this season.

In addition to his solid defensive displays, the centre-back has a contribution of a goal and two assists to his name in all competitions.





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