Michigan State DC Joe Rossi Talks Defense Ahead of Illinois

Back at the film, the opportunities to create turnovers, um, especially the one I think it was Eli got a hand on.

Yeah.

What's it like when you're watching that live and then on film when it bounces off?

Yeah.

I mean, that's obviously at the end of the half.

That could turn, turn the tide of the game.

Um, you know, the play before I think Kenny got a hand on a ball, and it went right to their guy, and then the next time it's Eli and a couple guys.

I mean, the thing we told them in the film session was, "Look, like, let's be better fundamentally.

Let's be a little better in our break.

And those ones that are kinda going the other way, we'll make up a few inches and get them going our way." That's the only way you can look at it.

I appreciate that they're getting hands-on.

I appreciate that they're doing those things, but we gotta just make up the inches a little bit more.

When you look at Illinois' offense, what, what does Hauser present in terms of, uh, a, a passer and, and his mobility?

Yeah, I think he does both very well.

Um, I think he's shown himself to be accurate, uh, at all three levels.

I th- I think they've got a good receiving corps, in particular number seventeen.

I mean, he's, he's one of the best players in the country.

Um, but he-- I would say categorize him as a first a passer, but if there's an escape lane, uh, if there's an opportunity to create with his feet, he can do it.

He's got good size.

He's got good arms, so.