Former Minnesota Gophers defensive coordinator Joe Rossi is encountering significant challenges during his current tenure with Michigan State. Heading into a matchup against the Gophers, Rossi’s defense ranks last in scoring within the Big Ten Conference at an average of 32.5 points per game. They also sit at 15th in total defense, allowing an average of 380 yards per game.
This past Saturday, Rossi moved from the coaches’ booth to the sideline for a crucial game against the then-No. 25 Michigan, which resulted in a 31-20 defeat. Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith, who holds a record of 3-5 this season and 8-12 overall in East Lansing, expressed appreciation for Rossi’s presence on the field. “We needed to obviously fix some things defensively,” Smith stated. “I did think the effort defensively — those guys played with passion throughout the night.”
Despite that effort, the Spartans allowed an alarming 276 rushing yards and four touchdowns during the game, marking their fifth consecutive loss in conference play. With an 0-5 record in the Big Ten, Michigan State finds itself at the bottom of the standings alongside Purdue and Wisconsin.
Rossi departed Minnesota after the 2023 season, but P.J. Fleck, head coach of the Gophers, noted that they maintain communication through text messages and occasional encounters during recruiting. “They play exceptionally hard,” Fleck said of Rossi’s group. “Coach Rossi did a tremendous amount for this program at the University of Minnesota, and I have a lot of respect for him and what he’s done. He’s got an unbelievable family. He’s a great husband, great father, just an awesome man.”
Michigan State’s Game Strategy Under Scrutiny
In the Gophers’ previous game against Iowa, Fleck revealed that the strategy was to punt the ball out of bounds to prevent Hawkeyes returner Kaden Wetjen from making an impact. Unfortunately, punter Tom Weston managed to kick only two out of seven punts out of bounds, allowing Wetjen to return four times for a total of 80 yards, including a significant 50-yard touchdown. One of Weston’s punts resulted in a touchback, while another had a dismal net of just 13 yards.
“It wasn’t just offense, it wasn’t just defense, it wasn’t just special teams — it was all three,” Fleck commented on the 41-3 defeat to Iowa. “That is not a good formula to win, especially when you are playing a team like Iowa, who is so good in all three and forces you to play really precise.” Following this loss, Minnesota’s record stands at 5-3 overall and 3-2 in Big Ten play.
Injury Concerns for Minnesota
On Monday, Fleck did not provide an update regarding the health status of running back Darius Taylor, who left the Iowa game after only one carry. If Taylor is unable to play against Michigan State, and with backup A.J. Turner sidelined for the season, the Gophers may rely on redshirt freshman Fame Ijeboi and graduate transfer Cam Davis in the backfield.
Minnesota has struggled to establish a ground game, averaging just 1.8 yards per carry against teams like Iowa, Ohio State, Purdue, and Rutgers. The only exception to this trend was a strong performance against Nebraska, where they averaged 5.3 yards per carry. Taylor notably rushed for 148 yards on 24 carries with one touchdown during that game.
Looking ahead, the Spartans’ defense ranks 14th in the Big Ten against the run, allowing an average of 149 yards per game. This statistic suggests that Minnesota may still have an opportunity to improve their rushing performance in the upcoming game against Michigan State.
As both teams prepare for this pivotal matchup, the implications for Rossi and his defense remain critical, as they seek to turn their season around amidst ongoing struggles.
