Former defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Gophers, Joe Rossi, is experiencing a challenging season at Michigan State. As the Spartans prepare for their matchup against the Gophers on Saturday, they find themselves at the bottom of the Big Ten Conference rankings. Currently, Michigan State’s defense is last in scoring, allowing an average of 32.5 points per game, and sits 15th in total defense, permitting 380 yards per game.
In a recent shift, Rossi moved from his usual position in the coaches’ booth to the sidelines during Michigan State’s 31-20 loss to then-No. 25 Michigan. Head coach Jonathan Smith, who has a record of 3-5 this season and 8-12 overall since taking charge in East Lansing, expressed his appreciation for Rossi’s on-field presence. “We needed to obviously fix some things defensively,” Smith noted, adding that he admired the passion displayed by the players.
Despite this effort, Michigan State’s defense struggled significantly, allowing 276 rushing yards and four touchdowns. The loss marked the Spartans’ fifth consecutive defeat in conference play, leaving them tied at the bottom of the standings with Purdue and Wisconsin at 0-5.
Rossi departed Minnesota following the 2023 season, but he and Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck maintain a supportive relationship. They often communicate through text messages and meet during recruiting events. Fleck praised Rossi’s contributions to Minnesota, stating, “He did a tremendous amount for this program… He’s got an unbelievable family. He’s a great husband, great father, just an awesome man.”
In another development, Fleck addressed the Gophers’ recent performance against Iowa, where a strategic plan to prevent dangerous returns by Hawkeyes returner Kaden Wetjen fell short. Punter Tom Weston managed to kick only two of his seven attempts out of bounds, allowing Wetjen four returns for a total of 80 yards, including a 50-yard return for a touchdown. The Gophers suffered a heavy 41-3 defeat, prompting Fleck to reflect on the need for improvement across all areas of the game.
Minnesota’s overall record now stands at 5-3, with a 3-2 mark in Big Ten play. The team faces uncertainty regarding the status of running back Darius Taylor, who left the game against Iowa after just one carry. If Taylor is unable to play against Michigan State, Minnesota will likely rely on redshirt freshman Fame Ijeboi and graduate transfer Cam Davis, as backup A.J. Turner is out for the season.
Historically, Minnesota has averaged only 1.8 yards per carry in games against Iowa, Ohio State, Purdue, and Rutgers. The Gophers did see more success against Nebraska, averaging 5.3 yards per carry in a decisive victory. With Michigan State ranked 14th in the Big Ten for rushing defense, allowing 149 yards per game, Minnesota hopes to establish a ground game this weekend.
Both teams are looking for a turnaround as they approach this critical matchup, making the stakes considerably high for Rossi and his Spartans.
