Maryland football closed the 2024 season on a five-game losing streak to finish 4-8 (1-8) overall following a 44-7 loss at fourth-ranked Penn State. Everything that Maryland head coach Mike Locksley said postgame:
Opening statement
“Disappointing loss. Disappointing end to a long, long season. As I’ve stated before, the season didn't meet the standards that we set out. With the senior group I thought has continued to lead us through a tough year. They have left a really solid foundation for us, and for that, I thank that group of guys. Just disappointed. Disappointed in the way this thing finished, disappointed in our inability to get things going. On offense today, we got off to a quick start like we wanted to do, but was unable to carry the momentum. Our defense, I thought early on, gave us some opportunities that we just couldn't take advantage of. With all that being said, as disappointed as I am for how this season went and for the seniors, I'm excited about what the future looks like because when you go through a tough year like this, it's easy to point out the things that didn't go well, but what we've gained is a ton of experience for some young, talented players that have to grow up and will be forced to grow up. And because of that, I'm excited for what the future. We’ll learn and grow from this season, there’s no doubt about it and will be better for.”
On the QB situation heading into Penn State
“Billy was unavailable. Didn't practice this week. He went out early Monday. Medically, was unable to go. He’s been banged up last three to four weeks, and he gave a valiant effort to try to push through to make himself available. [He] was unable to do it. MJ [Morris] came in and again, we weren't able to capitalize on any of the momentum or the opportunities. I thought he started out fast, but just weren't able to help MJ with being able to run the ball, protect them, give them a chance to kind of get settled back there.”
On whether there was motivation going into the game with bowl eligibility out of reach
“No, not at all because this group, I keep talking about the senior group, and the way they've led us. I mean, they showed up. You guys come to practice on Tuesdays and this group shows up and practices. They put the work in. When you have an inexperienced group like we have at certain positions these are unfortunately the growing pains that you have to go through. I hate it. I hate it for our program. I hate it for our fans. I hate it for our supporters. I hate it for the kids. But what I do know having been a part of going through these types of – these changes that we've seen this year, we’ll be better for them because of them. And it's hard to say that now, but I'm looking forward to diving into the season, getting some help in here, some needed help to build on the foundation we have and to kind of get this program back in the direction that we all wanted to go.”
On six sacks by Penn State
“Obviously, six sacks caused some issues. There were opportunities that I thought where we could have managed it a little bit better, where we took some sacks at the quarterback position, where there were opportunities to get rid of all but there were also times where we’ve got to line up and blocked people. We got to be able to run the ball efficiently to help take some of the pressure off of the protection stuff, but when you get behind the sticks on third and long – got to find ways to chip to hold the keep the guys off our quarterback and the quarterback gotta make quick decisions.”
On his reaction to Penn State’s late score
“I don’t have a reaction.”
On Maryland’s quick start
“It was important to get off to a quick start. Here at home in the Big Ten, we were able to capitalize off of a turnover, which we haven't had a bunch of turnovers the last four or five games, and to get one, and then to see us execute just our openness. It was good to get the early momentum, but just did not take advantage of those opportunities. And we had ourselves in some situations in the first half where defense held up, but on offense, just our inability to stay in front and block people in the run game, in the protection piece, and then we even missed some throws that off the screen game where I thought we had opportunities for some explosive plays that we didn't get executed.”
On the postgame exchange with Penn State head coach James Franklin
“I was asked about his family, Christmas cards, address. All those things. Bullshit is what it was. I respect the game I’ve got a lot of respect for James [Franklin], his program. I think it was bullshit.”
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