Starting with the 1993 season, Frank Beamer led the Virginia Tech Hokies to bowl appearances in 23 straight seasons, including four trips to both the Sugar Bowl and Orange Bowl. 2015 — Beamer’s last season at the helm — was a challenge, though. The Hokies were just 4-5 at the end of October, and it took a serious comeback against in-state rival Virginia — 10 unanswered points in the final 8:40 of the game — to even become bowl eligible.
Wide receiver Isaiah Ford made the big play during that rally against the Cavaliers: snagging a 32-yard touchdown pass from Michael Brewer, which tied to game at 20. A month later, the Hokies sent Beamer out with a bang — thanks to Ford’s 12 catches for 227 yards and a touchdown against Tulsa in the Independence Bowl, which Virginia Tech won in a shootout, 55-52.
The Hokies have never been known as a passing academy on offense, but they’ve had a bundle of good receivers flow through their program: Eddie Royal, Josh Morgan, Andre Davis, Antonio Freeman. The list goes on, too. Ford, however, may end his career in Blacksburg as the best of the bunch.
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