VIRGINIA TECH CONTINUES STREAKS, READIES FOR 2019
• Virginia Tech concluded the 2018 season by keeping a pair of the nation's most significant streaks intact.
• Tech extended the nation's longest active bowl streak to 26 consecutive seasons, a mark that ranks as the third-longest in college football history.
NCAA RECORD BOOK - LONGEST BOWL STREAKS
| Streak | Team | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | Nebraska | 1969-2003 |
| 33 | Michigan | 1975-2007 |
| 26 | Virginia Tech | 1993-present |
| 25 | Alabama | 1959-1983 |
| 24 | Florida State | 1991-2012 |
LONGEST ACTIVE POWER FIVE BOWL STREAKS
| Streak | Team | Year Began |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Virginia Tech | 1993 |
| 22 | Georgia | 1997 |
| 20 | Oklahoma | 1999 |
| 19 | LSU | 2000 |
| 17 | Wisconsin | 2002 |
THE GENESIS OF "BIG PLAY" TRE
• In 2018, freshman WR Tré Turner turned into a key target when the Hokies needed a "money play" - a play resulting in a first down or a touchdown - and he even got his first taste of BeamerBall against Virginia (11/23/18).
• After making an acrobatic, one-handed touchdown catch in the first quarter against UVA, Turner blocked his first career punt on the next UVA possession that was recovered in the end zone for a touchdown.
• Along with the blocked kick, Turner racked up 112 yards of offense (43 rushing, 69 receiving).
• His performance against UVA earned him the honor of wearing Frank Beamer's No. 25 vs. Marshall, where he turned in a career-high 99 receiving yards on three catches and a 45-yard TD reception.
• Of Turner's 25 career receptions, 17 have gone for a first down and three have been touchdowns.
• Turner's first eight catches of his career went for first downs.
• His 20.6 yards per reception finished third among FBS true freshmen in 2018:
FBS Leaders - Yards Per Catch, True Freshmen
| Player | YPC | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Justyn Ross, Clemson | 21.7 |
| 2. | Tré Turner, Virginia Tech | 20.6 |
| 3. | Seth Williams, Auburn | 20.5 |
| 4. | Jaylen Waddle, Alabama | 18.8 |
| 5. | Chatarius Atwell, Louisville | 16.9 |
THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT FOR THE #LPD
• Despite boasting one of the youngest defensive units ever fielded by Bud Foster at Virginia Tech, a host of underclassmen proved their mettle for the Hokies in 2018.
• Sophomore LB Rayshard Ashby led all ACC underclassmen with 105 total tackles (57 solo), a mark tied as the second-best total in the league. He will enter the 2019 season tied as the league's top returning tackler. Ashby tied for second on Tech with 9.5 TFL.
2018 ACC LEADERS - TOTAL TACKLES
| Tackles | Player | Year | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| 107 | LB Ryan Guthrie | Senior | Syracuse |
| 105 | LB Rayshard Ashby | Soph. | Virginia Tech |
| 105 | LB Cole Holcomb | Senior | North Carolina |
| 105 | LB Justin Stmad | Junior | Wake Forest |
| 104 | LB Germaine Pratt | Senior | NC State |
• S Reggie Floyd will return for his senior season. He ranked second on the squad with 88 total tackles (56 solo) and 9.5 TFL.
• Even though he only started five contests, freshman LB Dax Hollifeld ranked fourth on Tech with 62 tackles (27 solo). He added 8.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks, a FF and a FR.
• In total, the Hokies are anticipated to return 10 primary defensive starters, losing only DT Ricky Walker.
• Tech's top five tacklers from 2018 will all return in 2019.