The Gophers defense has been elite the past two seasons and defensive coordinator Joe Rossi is getting noticed nationally.
Bruce Feldman of The Athletic said Rossi is “one of the best-kept secrets in college football.” In listing the top-30 college assistants in the country, Feldman has the Gophers DC ranked eighth overall.
“The Pittsburgh native has produced back-to-back top-10 defenses for the Gophers,” said Feldman. “The 44-year-old deserves a lot more credit for the work he’s done there. They ranked No. 86 in the country in yards per play allowed in 2018, the year before he became the full-time defensive coordinator.”
Rossi is entering his fifth full season as Minnesota’s defensive coordinator after being promoted to the role late in the 2018 season.
Through nine games in 2019 the Gophers were giving up 31.8 points per game and 423.9 yards per game under then coordinator Robb Smith. PJ Fleck fired Smith after a 55-31 loss to Illinois in early November 2018. In the final four games of the season, including a 34-10 Quick Lane Bowl victory over Georgia Tech, the Gopher defense gave up just 14.8 points and 300 yards per game.
Minnesota finished the 2018 season 59th in points allowed (26.5) and 54th in yards allowed (385.5). The following season, Rossi’s first full season in charge, the Gophers finished 38th in points (22.5) and 9th in yards (306.6).
A COVID shortened 2020 season saw the numbers dip with just six games played but the past two seasons have seen the Gophers sport top-10 defenses in the country.
2021 – 7th in points (17.3) 3rd in yards (279.0)
2022 – 4th in points (13.8) 9th in yards (294.7)
With all of that defensive success the Gophers have also produced a number of draft picks on the defensive side of the ball since Rossi’s takeover.
- Blake Cashman (LB) – 2019 – 5th round
- Antoine Winfield Jr. (S) – 2020 – 2nd round
- Kamal Martin – 2020 (LB) – 5th round
- Carter Coughlin (LB) – 2020 – 7th round
- Chris Williamson (DB) – 2020 – 7th round
- Benjamin St-Juste (CB) – 2021 – 3rd round
- Boye Mafe (DE) – 2022 – 2nd round
- Esezi Otomewo (DE) – 2022 – 5th round
- Jordan Howden (CB) – 2023 – 5th round
- Terell Smith (CB) – 2023 – 5th round
Minnesota opens their 2023 season Thursday at home against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Huntington Bank Stadium.
