Dec. 29, 2007

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Mark Dantonio wanted to win back some respect for the Michigan State football program in his first year as head coach.

For the most part, that mission was accomplished.

The Spartans finished with a winning record and made a bowl game for the first time since 2003. And it looks like Dantonio has built a foundation for future success.

"When we first came in here, we talked about earning back respect from our fans," Dantonio said after the Spartans wrapped up the 2007 season. "That was the first step that we took. Hopefully, we earned back some respect."

The Spartans exceeded most outside expectations, finishing 7-6 including Friday's 24-21 loss to No. 14 Boston College in the Champ Sports Bowl in Orlando. All six of their losses were by seven point or less and two came in overtime, a signal Michigan State was competitive in every game.

That's a huge step up from the past three seasons, when the Spartans tended to fold whenever things started to go wrong. This year's team was resilient and never quit.

Michigan State won its first four games, then lost five of its next six -- including overtime losses to Northwestern and Iowa. After a heartbreaking 28-24 loss to Michigan on Nov. 3, the prospects of making a bowl looked bleak.

Rather than pack it in, the Spartans pulled together to beat Purdue and Penn State in their final two regular season games to secure a bowl bid.

"I feel like we've done a lot of things that people didn't expect us to do," said junior running back Javon Ringer, who led the Spartans with 1,447 yards rushing this season. "I'm real proud of the way that everyone stepped up in every game."

Dantonio acknowledged the Spartans were their own worst enemy at times, letting a victory or two slip away by the slimmest of margins. But the team always battled back.

"The thing that I'm most proud of is how we've hung together in the tough times," Dantonio said. "When people could have cut and run, they didn't. Nobody pointed fingers. That's the thing we have to build on."

Javon Ringer rushed for a career-best 1,447 yards in 2007 - the fifth-best single-season total in school history.

Ringer likely will be a key returner for one of the Big Ten's best and most balanced offenses. Junior quarterback Brian Hoyer, who threw for 2,725 yards and 20 touchdowns against 11 interceptions, also should be back.

Hoyer was fairly steady in the regular season, but he struggled in the bowl against Boston College with four interceptions and a fumble. Dantonio continues to support Hoyer and says he will be a key to the team's success next season.

"He's in control out there and I believe in him totally. He's our quarterback," Dantonio said.

Standout receiver and kick returner Devin Thomas is a junior, but it's not clear if he will return or try his luck in the NFL draft. Thomas is the Big Ten's all-time single season leader in kickoff return yards and set Michigan State's single season reception record with 79.

The offensive line should return tackle Jesse Miller, guard Roland Martin and center Joel Nitchman. Key departures will include running back Jehuu Caulcrick and tight end Kellen Davis, along with linemen Pete Clifford, Mike Gyetvai, John Masters and Kenny Shane.

Michigan State's defense again struggled against the pass this season but did not give up as many big plays as it had in recent years. The Spartans will have holes to fill, however.

Much of the defensive line -- ends Jonal Saint-Dic and Ervin Baldwin and nose tackle Ogemdi Nwagbuo -- is departing. So are linebackers Kaleb Thornhill and SirDarean Adams and safeties Travis Key and Nehemiah Warrick.

Freshman All-American Greg Jones led the Spartans in tackles with 78, including 8.5 for losses.

Two key linebackers, Greg Jones and Eric Gordon, both are finishing their freshmen seasons and should be back for the Spartans. Jones finished as Michigan State's leading tackler.

Otis Wiley, Kendell Davis-Clark, Chris L. Rucker and Ross Weaver are among those likely returning to the secondary.

On special teams, both punter Aaron Bates and kicker Brett Swenson should return.

The returning players say they'll try to build upon momentum from the bowl appearance next season.

"Getting here in the first place was an accomplishment, something we haven't done in a few years," said junior receiver Deon Curry. "We want to take this and use it as motivation for next year."

Dantonio often says football is a game of inches, and the Spartans should have a better grasp of that after a series of razor-thin defeats this season.

"Hopefully our players understand the difference between winning and losing is so small if you blink, you miss it," Dantonio said. "We'll get there."

By TIM MARTIN, The Associated Press