Joe Rossi's defense needs fundamentals to combat Notre Dame hostility
With No. 3 Notre Dame on the schedule for Saturday, Rossi emphasizes reliance on fundamentals and technique to compete with the Fighting Irish.
The Spartans jostle, jog and then sprint out of the tunnel, greeted with jeers and boos. Hostility surrounds them in Notre Dame Stadium. The Fighting Irish are prepared for a knock-down, drag-out brawl.
The Spartans have faced this hostility regularly over the last century, and will surely face it again this weekend in South Bend, Indiana.
Joe Rossi, Michigan State defensive coordinator, understands this environment, and he wants his players ready for it.
“When we go into an environment, a hostile one on the road against a highly-ranked team, it’s ‘Hey, do your job,’” Rossi said. “Execute the calls. Play with fundamentals, detail. Play with great effort, and the expectation is to go out and do your job.”
No. 3 Notre Dame is MSU’s first nationally-ranked opponent this season. The game continues a storied rivalry between both programs. The Spartans and the Fighting Irish will face off for the 80th time and will compete in the 61st Battle for the Megaphone this Saturday.
When facing a daunting opponent, the emphasis from Rossi and his defense is on fundamentals, discipline, details and technique.
“You don’t need to do anything special,” Rossi said. “What you need to do is fall back on your training.”
Rossi doesn’t want his players overextending; he discourages players reaching outside of their capabilities or roles. This has been a point of emphasis for the Spartan defense this week.
“Sometimes guys think they have to go into a game and play different,” Rossi said. “No, you should practice at a level that allows you to play well in a game.”
