The Syracuse football team pulled off an exciting come-from-behind win in overtime against Virginia Tech on Saturday, but it was a battle — even during the halftime show. Video going viral on Facebook shows Virginia Tech kicker John Love disrupted the Syracuse University marching band multiple times during their halftime performance of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” Love could be seen on the field kicking practice field goals while band members were performing, nearly bumping several musicians in the middle of their routine. “Just like the line in ‘American Pie’… ‘As the players tried to take the field, THE MARCHING BAND REFUSED TO YIELD!!!’ wrote SU fan Patti Goodwin, who posted the video clip. “Hope you feel prepped for the 2nd half, John Love. GO ORANGE! BEAT VT!!” The 4-minute clip, which has been viewed more than 90,000 times already, shows Love (No. 17) at the 0:45 mark setting up for a practice kick near the 25-yard-line while most of the marching band is near the middle of the field. Someone can be seen trying to get Love off the field, even bumping the football from its kick holder device, but he sets it up again and kicks the ball even as band members can be seen moving all around him. Two minutes later, while the band is still performing, Love can be seen at the 2:45 mark trying to set up for another field goal attempt at the 30-yard-line. Another person comes to stop him, and he appears to argue with them — again, while the SU marching band is moving in formation and attempting to avoid hitting him. Love appears to attempt to set up for a field goal attempt in a different spot before a third person tells him to stop. A fourth, who appears to be affiliated with the Virginia Tech football team, escorts him off the field as some fans could be heard booing. “Absolutely shameful that this was allowed to continue,” one Facebook commenter said. “Ummm total disrespect for the band, and if you take a ball to the face that could cause serious damage to a wind player,” another wrote. “Never wanted a kicker to pull a hamstring more,” a third said. “@CoachPryVT this behavior by your kicker (@johnlove97) is unacceptable. Maybe go have a discussion with the @SpiritOfTech about how it would feel if an opposing team’s kicker did this to them during halftime. Signed, a Marching Virginian Alum,” an X user added . Virginia Tech football coach Brent Pry, Love and VT’s marching band, the Marching Virginians, did not respond to the tweet. Goodwin did not immediately respond to a syracuse.com request for more information, but a LinkedIn profile shows she is a 1987 graduate of Syracuse University who performed in the SU Marching and the Sour Sitrus Society Pep Band. The Syracuse Orange defeated the Virginia Tech Hokies, 38-31, in overtime. Love successfully kicked four extra points and a 27-yard field goal in the game.
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