Marty Gordon
Virginia Tech kicker Jordan Love has some amazing field goals this season, but this past week, it was his warmup session at the end of halftime that has grabbed the headlines.
Love disrupted the Syracuse University marching band not once but several times during their performance of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” The Hokie was seen on the field practicing kicks, nearly bumping into several musicians in the middle of their routine.
In many ways, the incident brought back memories of “the Play,” from 1982 when the game between Stanford and California ended when the clock started running out and the Stanford band made its way to the field.
The game had never ended, and California used five lateral passes on the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown that included running through the band.
Love didn’t have any points at stake during this past weekend’s halftime, but it did stir up a controversy.
Several people tried to get Love off the field, but two minutes later as the band continued to perform, Love set up a kick holder to practice. The band tried to avoid the kicker while continuing their performance, not yielding the field.
Love has since apologized.
“I would like to apologize to the Syracuse University community as well as my teammates and coaches for my actions at halftime of Saturday’s game,” Love wrote on X. “I understand the work that goes into halftime band performances, and it was not my intention to detract from that with my warmup. I am sorry for what happened and how it has reflected on our team and school.”
Syracuse also got their revenge on the scoreboard as they picked up the win.