Inside Slant


Struggling Gophers make a change on defense

Minnesota could benefit from returning to its home field this weekend.

After playing three games on the road over the last four weeks, the Gophers (4-5, 1-5) have been in a tailspin since winning their first three games during the nonconference season. The Big Ten season hasn’t been kind to the young Gophers.

Last Saturday’s 55-31 blowout loss to a struggling Illinois team was the final straw for coach P.J. Fleck. The Gophers’ defense has been unable to stop teams all seasons, plus struggled to force turnovers. Fleck relieved defensive coordinator Robb Smith of his duties on Monday. Defensive line coach Joe Rossi was named the new defensive coordinator on an interim basis.

“This is not about one specific game or one specific issue,” Fleck said. “This is over a long period of time as you evaluate that. … Sooner or later, you have to make a choice, and that choice is either stay or go a different direction.”

The Gophers could use a change, especially following the embarrassing loss to the Illini. The Gophers allowed 646 yards, including 430 on the ground, and seven touchdowns. The Gophers’ defense gave up 42 points to Maryland and 53 to Nebraska.

Fleck said the defense could benefit from a new voice in Rossi. The Gophers have given up 31 touchdowns in six league games, with the average distance a robust 34.7 yards.

“One, it’s a new voice, it’s a different direction,” he said. “It’s a different way somebody calls the game. This isn’t wholesale change where our defense is going to look completely different schematically.”

Besides his defense basically allowing teams to walk into the end zone, Fleck’s move also was prompted due to the Gophers’ remaining schedule. Minnesota closes out the season with games against Purdue, Northwestern and Wisconsin. Up next is resurgent Purdue at TCF Bank Stadium.

The Boilermakers upset No. 19 Iowa 39-38 last week but have lost four straight games at TCF Bank Stadium. Purdue enters the game as an 11 1/2 point road favorite — the third time in Big Ten play they opened up as a road favorite.