Michigan State’s defense gave the Spartans plenty to celebrate in Ann Arbor last Saturday. By the time defensive coordinator Joe Rossi met with his players again, he was already reminding them that the performance against Michigan would not help them stop Washington.
The Spartans (3-6, 1-5 Big Ten) return to Spartan Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 14, to face the Huskies (5-4, 2-4) at 4:15 p.m. on Big Ten Network. Michigan State is coming off a 15-6 victory over Michigan that snapped a six-game losing streak and brought the Paul Bunyan Trophy back to East Lansing. With three regular-season games remaining, the Spartans must win out to reach six victories and keep their hopes of a bowl appearance alive.
Washington, meanwhile, needs one more win to reach six victories. The Huskies have already won twice on the road in Big Ten play, beating Purdue 38-26 and Nebraska 17-10, and nearly erased a 22-point deficit in last week’s 28-25 loss to Penn State.
Rossi was pleased with what he saw from his defense against Michigan, particularly the effort and execution in a difficult road environment.
“I really appreciated how our guys played,” Rossi said Wednesday. “We talk about effort, physicality, technique, I thought they brought it in all three of those areas.”
The numbers supported his assessment. Michigan State held the Wolverines to 192 total yards, including just 54 on the ground, and kept them scoreless through the first three quarters. The Spartans recorded five sacks, seven tackles for loss, and four takeaways. They had forced only five turnovers in their first eight games combined.
One of the biggest contributors was redshirt senior cornerback NiJhay Burt, who transferred from Eastern Illinois before the 2025 season. Burt finished with six tackles, an interception, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a pass breakup, earning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors.
“Last year at this time, Jay Burt was on the scout team,” Rossi said. “Then, a year into the future, he’s making a bunch of plays to help us win a big-time game.”
Rossi made sure the recognition was followed by another message.
