2 Dantonio’s revamped offensive strategy revives the fullback position, something former head coach John L. Smith’s spread offense didn’t call for. Junior Jeff McPherson, a former linebacker, and converted tight end Dwayne Holmes, a junior, will fill the fullback role.

The fullback will be an integral part of the offense as the team philosophy shifts from high-octane passing attack to a more controlled running game. The addition of the fullback now provides a lead blocker for the running backs, which should help create a few more running lanes.

3 Changing the offensive mindset to a running game couldn’t have come at a better time. The team’s three starting wide receivers from last season — Matt Trannon, Kerry Reed and Jerramy Scott — all graduated. Sophomore wide receiver T.J. Williams had the most receiving yards of the returning receivers with 281 yards.

4 Freshman offensive guard Arthur Ray Jr. had a cancerous tumor surgically removed from his right leg this offseason. Ray will not play this year while he recovers, but his impact could be greater than imagined as an inspiration to this young team.

“It’s been an example, I think, to all of us how to persevere through things and handle adverse situations,” Dantonio told the Web site mlive.com. “From the day he knew he had this until the day he went into surgery, he’s been nothing but positive about the final outcome — that he will play football again.”

When he’s ready, the Spartans will be waiting.

5 The Corner Blitz added 10,000 students to its name, bringing the student section up to 13,000 members. A larger, more unified student section may be able to fire up the players and cause problems for visiting teams.

The move fits the new-look team, coach and attitude. Dantonio stressed team unity and provided a makeover to team strategy and demeanor. The new and expanded Corner Blitz will provide energy and a stronger team bond, which will hopefully translate to a more electrified atmosphere and team.

— Compiled by Zack Colman and Jon Schultz