Dantonio Says Roushar Is 'Tucked Under' His Wing

EAST LANSING (AP/97.1 The Ticket) — Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio doesn't think the season is over with a disappointing 4-4 record. An important chapter in that story will be written Saturday at Wisconsin.

And he's standing by his offensive coordinator Dan Roushar.

At his weekly news conference, the MSU head coach was asked about Rouhsar and the heat he's getting from fans and media.

Responding, Dantonio said his assistant coach is  "tucked right here under my wing." Dantonio also added if pundits want to criticize Roushar, then they should criticize the head coach.

The Spartans, 1-3 in Big Ten play, will have to find more offense after a 12-10 loss at Michigan, their fifth game with 17 or fewer points. Dantonio and quarterback Andrew Maxwell say there is plenty left to play for as the program tries to reach a sixth straight bowl game.

Three conference losses, two of them to ranked teams, have come by a total of six points, with one defeat in double overtime. That is similar to what happened in 2009, when Michigan State finished 6-7, then used those painful lessons to produce back-to-back 11-win seasons.

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