University Park— Penn State coach James Franklin decided to go for a last-second touchdown to turn a 38-7 win into a 44-7 win, and Maryland coach Mike Locksley didn’t like that too much.
Closing the game in style 😎 @PennStateFball pic.twitter.com/VAxTwseFzJ
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 30, 2024
Immediately after the game, the colleagues who used to work on the same staff exchanged what one wouldn’t define as a “pleasant” handshake.
Locksley appeared to tell Franklin that he didn’t appreciate the late score, and Franklin responded:
“If that’s what you think, that’s fine. If that’s what you think, that’s fine.”
Maryland's Mike Locksley was not happy with Penn State's James Franklin after taking a 44-7 loss at Beaver Stadium. pic.twitter.com/NGl8TrO43k
— Mark Brennan (@MarkXBrennan) December 1, 2024
In their respective postgame press conferences, Locksley doubled down on his displeasure, and Franklin reaffirmed that he is just fine with how Penn State handled it.
THE SITUATION
Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now: Tyseer Denmark
Here’s what happened. Penn State had the game well in hand, up 38-7 with four seconds left and facing a 4th and 12 from the Maryland 15. Franklin had a few options. He could have sent Ryan Barker out to kick a field goal. He could kneeled the ball out and go home with the win. Or, he could have gone for the jugular. He chose the latter, and it worked. Beau Pribula hit Tyseer Denmark for a 15-yard score, and that’s how the game ended.
For Denmark, a 5-foot-10, 187-pound true freshman from Philly, it was his first college touchdown.
That nugget probably wouldn’t change Locksley’s mind.
‘BULLSHIT’
Photo by Penn State Athletics: James Franklin talks with Maryland coach Mike Locksley before the game.
Franklin and Locksley coached on the same staff at Maryland from 2001-02, and Locksley made it clear that he respects his old co-worker.
But he wasn’t happy with what happened.
“Bullshit is what it was,” Locksley said. “I respect the game I’ve got a lot of respect for James [Franklin], his program. I think it was bullshit.”
Maryland head coach Mike Locksley when asked about the exchange postgame: “I asked about his family, Christmas cards, address, all those things.
Bullshit is what it was. I respect the game. I got a lot of respect for James [Franklin], his program. I think it was bullshit” https://t.co/wUVLvCUA3D pic.twitter.com/9H0Mqtozmc
— Inside the Black & Gold (@Insideblackgold) December 1, 2024
FRANKLIN DOESN’T AGREE
Franklin was equally convinced that what he did was not “BS”.
“I get it,” Franklin said. “Right? At the end of the game, we throw a touchdown… I get it. But a couple things I will say. My job is to put the threes and the fours in games. But when the threes and fours get to go in the game, they get to play football. Those guys deserve to play football. Your (Maryland’s) ones were in the game. You were trying to score. We’re trying to score. On top of that, you’re playing Cover 0. If you don’t want (the other team scoring), play Cover 2. So, I’m good with it. And on top of that, there’s also a change in college football.
“We are trying to play as long as we can, make the playoffs and be seeded as high as possible. And scoring as many points and a point differential matters. All that matters. And if you don’t get that, it’s really not my problem. So, W. 1-0. I’m good with it. Anybody that’s not, that’s their problem.”
“I’m good with it. Anybody that’s not, that’s their problem.”
Penn State HC James Franklin has no regrets about going for (and getting) a last-second touchdown up 38-7. pic.twitter.com/z9iXvYyqsi
— Joe Smeltzer (@joesmeltzer775) December 1, 2024
No. 4 Penn State takes on No. 1 Oregon in the Big Ten Championship Game next Saturday in Indianapolis. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 on Fox.
