Motuapuaka joins Teller, Gallo with All-Star invite

Senior linebacker headed to NFLPA Collegiate Bowl

December 12, 2017

BLACKSBURG – Senior LB Andrew Motuapuaka, a 2017 third-team All-ACC selection, has accepted an invitation to play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California on Jan. 20, 2018.

Motuapuaka has been a key and steady component for the Hokies’ defense this past season. He finished 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. Motuapuaka will leave Virginia Tech with his name in the top 10 in career tackles since 1987.

NFLPA Collegiate Bowl
collegiate.nflpa.com

Motuapuaka joins G Wyatt Teller and C Eric Gallo who have accepted postseason all-star game invitations. Teller, a 2017 first-team All-ACC selection, has accepted an invitation to play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl held in Mobile, Alabama on Jan. 27, 2018. Gallo is set to play in the Spiral Tropical Bowl held in Daytona Beach, Florida on Jan. 14, 2018.

Teller anchors a Virginia Tech offensive line that has permitted only 21.0 sacks this season. He’s started in all 12 games at left guard and has started 23 consecutive games, the longest streak on the Tech offense. Pro Football Focus has honored Teller on their ACC Team of the Week four times this season. The Bealeton, Virginia native was the runner-up for the ACC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy, which is presented to the conference’s most outstanding blocker.

Senior Bowl
seniorbowl.com

Gallo, a redshirt senior from Richboro, Pennsylvania, earned his first All-ACC accolades in his final season at Virginia Tech as an honorable mention pick. He’s started in every game this season at center and has started in 22 consecutive games dating back to last season, the second-longest streak on the offense. A team captain, Gallo also gets it done in the classroom, where he boasts a 3.42 GPA as a finance major. He was named CoSIDA Academic First-Team All-District earlier this month for his work in athletics and academics.

Tropical Bowl
tropicalbowl.com

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