Oregon’s Leading Rusher Opts Out of The Vegas Bowl

Royce Freeman is the Oregon Ducks all-time leading rusher with 5,621 career yards including nearly 15 hundred yards this season but the Ducks won't have him in the line up tomorrow when they face Boise State in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Freeman has decided not play in fear of injury before the NFL draft. Freeman mentioned he might not want to play in the Ducks Bowl game immediately following their final regular season game but final his decision wasn't announced until today.

At 230 pounds Freeman is a physical running back maybe one of the best in the country according to Boise State coaches.

Freemans decision once again brings up the question of team commitment vs. pro career.

Honestly I've never understood the fear the injury argument. If you fear injury you shouldn't play football. Injury comes with the territory and I've always felt the more you worried about getting hurt the more chance you would get hurt

On the other hand Freeman is now a financial commodity as a likely NFL pick and he wants to protect the investment. Can't blame him for looking at everything like a business decision.

Whatever your opinion on Freeman's decision not to play it is certainly a plus for Boise State. Who knows, maybe the Broncos would have held him in check and maybe this is just the opportunity an Oregon backup running back has been waiting for all season.

Look at BSU's Ryan Wolpin! When star running back Alexander Mattison was injured in the Mountain West title game Wolpin was called into action and helped the Broncos drive 90 yards for the winning touchdown on a three yard play he'd never run before.

Boise State is 3-0 in previous Las Vegas Bowls with wins over Arizona State, Washington and Utah. Kickoff Saturday is 1:30 p.m. on ABC.