Oregon Running Back Duo Lands on Doak Walker Award Watch List

Bucky Irving and Noah Whittington headline a loaded backfield for the Ducks in 2023.

Oregon has a long-standing tradition of producing great running backs. 

Royce Freeman, Kenjon Barner and Jonathan Stewart are just a few of the best ballcarriers that have come through Eugene in recent years. 

On Wednesday, Oregon running backs Bucky Irving and Noah Whittington were both named to the preseason watch list for the Doak Walker Award, which features a total of 75 players. 

The award is presented annually to the top running back in college football and Oregon is one of 11 schools that had multiple running backs on the list, alongside schools like Ohio State, LSU, Tennessee and Colorado. 

Irving and Whittington formed one of the deadliest two-headed monsters you could find in 2022. 

Irving led the Ducks' ground attack with 1,058 rushing yards, which is good for third all-time in program history. He averaged 81.38 rushing yards per game and scored a total of eight touchdowns--five rushing and three receiving. 

He made a name for himself with his tough running style and his ability to stay on his feet in the face of contact.

Whittington carved out a role as the Ducks' No. 2 back on paper, but the two were almost used in a 1a and 1b style. Whittington, who will wear number six this year, recorded 139 carries to Irving's 156, and pounded the rock for 802 rushing yards and five touchdowns. 

He's viewed as the speedier option of the two, but both backs bring a lot of physicality and playmaking ability to the table. 

Last season, Byron Cardwell made the Doak Walker Award watch list, but only appeared in two games and rushed for 76 yards before transferring to California. 

Irving and Whittington will command a majority of the carries in 2023, but the Ducks also feature sophomore Jordan James as well as true freshman Dante Dowdell and Jayden Lamar. 

Whoever gets the ball will run behind an offensive line that is loaded with talent, but still working out the kinks and building their chemistry in fall camp after losing a bulk of its starters.

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