Mike Locksley offers blunt admission on Michigan State's game-winning drive
Mike Locksley and the Maryland Terrapins mindset on the final drive for Michigan State was to play fundamental defense and force the young quarterback Aidan Chiles to beat them. Unfortunately for Locksley, Chiles did just that in leading the Spartans to a 27-24 last second victory.
After the game, Locksley said that they were forcing Chiles to make the plays, and he did just that.
“Our goal was to make him beat us, and guess what, he did,” Locksley told reporters after the game.
"Our goal was to make him beat us, and guess what, he did," head coach Mike Locksley said about Michigan State QB Aidan Chiles.
— Colin McNamara (@Colinmcnamara05) September 7, 2024
Chiles was feast or famine throughout the game. He threw for 363 yards and 3 touchdowns, but he also threw 3 interceptions. However, when his team needed him, he delivered.
The score was tied at 24 with just over 2 minutes left, but Chiles led the Spartans on a 13-play, 65-yard drive to set up the 37-yard field by Jonathan Kim to get the win.
Locksley and the Terrapins led for much of this game but made a lot of mistakes to prevent them from getting the win. Maryland was penalized 9 times for 80 yards and had a pass interference called on a 3rd-and-10 on that final drive that allowed the drive to keep going.
Maryland will look to bounce back next week as they take on former ACC rival, Virginia. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on the ACC Network.