LB Andrew Motuapuaka awarded honorary Beamer No. 25

Senior linchpin of the Hokies' defense to wear No. 25 for the first time

November 16, 2017

BLACKSBURG – Head coach Justin Fuente announced Thursday that LB Andrew Motuapuaka earned the distinction of wearing Frank Beamer’s No. 25 jersey for Saturday’s Senior Day contest against Pitt.

This weekend’s game will mark the first time that the Virginia Beach, Virginia native has received this prestigious honor. Motuapuaka is second on the team and 11^th in the ACC with 75 tackles. He also has 8.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception and one forced fumble on the season.

Motuapuaka has earned ACC Linebacker of the Week honors twice during his career with the Hokies. Earlier this season he won that distinction following a 31-24 win over West Virginia when he led Tech with 12 tackles (nine solo) while posting a sack and two quarterback hurries in the victory. Following last season’s 52-10 win over Virginia, Motuapuaka also took home ACC Linebacker of the Week recognition after leading the Lunch Pail Defense with six tackles, one interception and a 70-yard fumble return TD. Dating back to 1987, only Macho Harris (4 INT return TDs) can match Motuapuaka’s four defensive return scores (1 INT, 3 fumble return TDs) for Virginia Tech.

At the beginning of last season, head coach Justin Fuente announced that a special teams player of the week would be selected to wear the No. 25 as a tribute to Coach Beamer and his legacy of special teams excellence he spawned for the Hokies.

2017 BEAMER BALL 25 RECIPIENTS

Player: Opponent

LB Anthony Shegog: West Virginia

LS Colton Taylor: Delaware

CB Greg Stroman: at East Carolina

DB Deon Newsome: Old Dominion

S Terrell Edmunds: Clemson

CB Greg Stroman: at Boston College

P Oscar Bradburn: North Carolina

DT Ricky Walker: Duke

LB Sean Huelskamp: at Miami

LB Tremaine Edmunds: at Georgia Tech