Motuapuaka named a finalist for Polynesian College Football Player of the Year

Virginia Beach native ranks second on Tech with 85 tackles, recently named third-team All-ACC

December 5, 2017

BLACKSBURG – Senior LB Andrew Motuapuaka has been named one of five finalists for the 2017 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced Tuesday. The honor is presented annually to the most outstanding Polynesian college football player that epitomizes great ability and integrity.

Motuapuaka was named third-team All-ACC after finishing the regular season ranked second on Tech’s defense and tied for 13th in the ACC with 85 total tackles. The Virginia Beach, Virginia native trails only CB Greg Stroman for the team lead in passes defended with seven and has racked up 10.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries, an interception, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble. This is his second consecutive season earning All-ACC honors. He also earned ACC Linebacker of the Week honors following Tech’s season-opening win against West Virginia.

Motuapuaka will leave Virgina Tech with his name in the top 10 in career tackles since 1987. He’s also one of only three players in program history to accumulate 25-plus career tackles for loss, 10-plus sacks and five-plus interceptions, joining Xavier Adibi and Brandon Semones.

Joining Motuapuaka on the list of finalists are Oregon State’s Manase Hungalu, Washington State’s Hercules Mata’afa, Hawai’i’s Jahlani Tavai and Washington’s Vita Vea. Motuapuaka was born in Auckland, New Zealand and is of Tongan ancestry. The award will be announced on December 12.

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