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Mike Locksley calls out James Franklin for late Penn State TD after tense postgame exchange: 'It's bullshit'

Wade-Peeryby: Wade Peery12/01/24
Penn State coach James Franklin and Maryland coach Mike Locksley had a tense exchange over the Lions' final score. (Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images)
Penn State coach James Franklin and Maryland coach Mike Locksley had a tense exchange over the Lions' final score. (Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images)

Penn State was not shy about tacking on the points late in their blowout victory over Maryland on Saturday night. The Nittany Lions thrashed Maryland 44-7, including a touchdown at the very end of the game. That didn’t sit well with Terps head coach Mike Locksley, and the postgame handshake between he and James Franklin was a little bit awkward, to say the least.

PSU backup quarterback Beau Pribula connected with Tyseer Denmark on a 15-yard touchdown pass, making the score 44-7 as time expired. There was no extra point attempt after the score.

Following the game, Locksley said of the interaction. “Bullshit. That’s what it was. I respect the game. I’ve got a lot of respect for James, his program. I think it was bullshit.”

James Franklin explained in his postgame press conference why he decided to go for the late touchdown. He wanted to get his backups a touchdown, he thought that margin of victory matters in the CFP rankings, and players’ parents come to the games to watch them play.

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Penn State running back tandem Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen finished with over 100 combined rushing yards. Singleton had 13 carries for 87 rushing yards and two touchdowns. PSU quarterback Drew Allar had one touchdown on the ground and one touchdown through the air. He finished the day completing 17 of his 26 passes for 171 yards.

Penn State tight end Tyler Warren hauled in six catches for 68 receiving yards and a touchdown. He now has 17 career receiving touchdowns, making him the school’s all-time receiving touchdown leader. PSU linebacker Abdul Carter racked up two sacks on Saturday night.

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With their win on Saturday and the loss by Ohio State, Penn State punched their tickets to the Big Ten Championship. They’ll face off against the Oregon Ducks in Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis, Indiana). Kickoff time is set for 8:00 PM EST and the game will be televised on CBS. The Nittany Lions now sit at 11-1 overall and 8-1 in the Big Ten Conference. They were ranked No. 4 overall in the latest version of the CFP Rankings.