Joe Rossi Faces Struggles as Michigan State Defense Falters

Former Minnesota Gophers defensive coordinator Joe Rossi is experiencing a challenging season in his new role at Michigan State. Heading into Saturday’s matchup against the Gophers, Rossi’s defense ranks last in scoring within the 18-team Big Ten Conference, allowing an average of 32.5 points per game. Additionally, the Spartans sit at 15th in total defense, surrendering approximately 380 yards per game.

In a recent shift, Rossi moved from the coaches’ booth to the sideline during Michigan State’s 31-20 loss to then-No. 25 Michigan. Jonathan Smith, head coach of the Spartans, expressed appreciation for Rossi’s presence on the field, noting, “We needed to obviously fix some things defensively. I did think the effort defensively — those guys played with passion throughout the night.”

Despite the effort, Michigan State’s defense struggled significantly against Michigan, allowing 276 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. This marked their fifth consecutive loss in conference play, leaving them at the bottom of the standings alongside Purdue and Wisconsin with an 0-5 record.

Rossi departed Minnesota after the 2023 season, but he continues to maintain a relationship with Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck. Fleck commented, “They play exceptionally hard. 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 also praised Rossi’s character, highlighting his qualities as a family man.

In Minnesota’s recent game against Iowa, the team faced issues with their game plan. Fleck had intended to keep the ball away from Hawkeyes returner Kaden Wetjen, but punter Tom Weston managed to kick only two of his seven punts out of bounds, allowing Wetjen to return four punts for a total of 80 yards, including a 50-yard touchdown. The Gophers suffered a heavy defeat, losing 41-3 to Iowa, with Fleck noting that the poor performance spanned all three phases of the game.

Minnesota now holds a record of 5-3 overall and 3-2 in Big Ten play. The team is also facing uncertainty regarding the health of running back Darius Taylor, who left the Iowa game after just one carry. If he is unable to play against Michigan State, and with backup A.J. Turner out for the season, the Gophers may rely on redshirt freshman Fame Ijeboi and graduate transfer Cam Davis in the backfield.

Historically, Minnesota has averaged just 1.8 yards per carry in recent games against Iowa, Ohio State, Purdue, and Rutgers, with the exception of a more successful 5.3 yards per carry against Nebraska. Taylor notably contributed 148 yards on 24 carries with one touchdown in that game, showcasing his potential to bolster the team’s ground game.

As Minnesota prepares for their upcoming match against Michigan State, they will need to capitalize against a Spartans defense that ranks 14th in the Big Ten for rushing defense, allowing 149 yards per game. The Gophers will look to regain their momentum and improve their performance on both sides of the ball.