“I think that’s what you see happening, and hopefully that will transfer into further success.”

Last season was a tumultuous one for MSU. The Spartans lost three games by three points or fewer, including a disheartening loss at the hands of in-state opponent Central Michigan on a late field goal.

The loss came in just MSU’s second game and set the tone for the rest of the season.

On Nov. 22, one day after ending the regular season with a blowout home loss to Penn State, the cloud over the MSU football team grew darker when 15 players were involved in an assault at Rather Hall on campus.

When the Spartans lost to Texas Tech 41-31 in the Valero Alamo Bowl on Jan. 2, 12 players were not with the team because of the November incident.

Only seven of the players involved returned to the team, with sophomore fullback Fred Smith the only one of the seven who served jail time.

Now, as MSU prepares for a new season, Dantonio said all the negatives in 2009 could be the biggest positive heading into 2010.

Entering his fourth year at the helm for the Spartans, Dantonio said his current team has better chemistry than any other he’s had while in East Lansing.

And although he said the team’s closeness could stem from a number of things, having to fight through the adversity of last season could be the biggest factor.

And his players agree.

“It was pretty much us against world,” sophomore running back Larry Caper said.

“People were doubting us, a lot of people, but we’re the only ones in the room that matter. So we took that mindset and came closer together.”

On the same page

After the events of last season, junior quarterback Kirk Cousins said the team’s togetherness grew after Dantonio initiated a Unity Council.

Consisting of 12 players chosen by Dantonio after the team voted for their top-10 choices, Cousins said the council gives players a way to interact with coaches and present any issues they might have to Dantonio.

“It’s a good way to keep a communication line from the top to the bottom,” Cousins said. “It’s been pretty effective for us this offseason, and we’re going to continue it through the season. I think it will help us as we go.”

With players from each class on the council, Cousins said everyone on the team is well-represented. Not only has that equality in the group cut down on team problems among players or coaches; it also has helped create better relationships throughout the entire team.

“Everybody knows everybody, everybody interacts with everybody from senior down to freshman,” senior tight end Charlie Gantt said. “Everybody’s cool with everybody just making an effort to be the best person they can be as a player and as a teammate so that’s a good feeling.”

And the closeness hasn’t been limited to football, which might be the biggest reason for the increased chemistry.

Senior center John Stipek said the most significant relationship-building this offseason has come after the Spartans have stepped off the field or out of the weight room.

“What’s really good is that we work together, but at the same time, we’re friends,” Stipek said.

“We’re all friends, we’re all wondering what we’re up to after football and we stick together.”

Now that preseason camp has started for the Spartans, though, their free time for hanging out together outside of practice is decreasing.

Caper, who was the leading rusher for MSU last season as a freshman, said he doesn’t expect the Spartans to have any problems with putting aside the fun and games to focus on football while still keeping their close relationships in tact.

“You definitely feel (the chemistry) when you walk into our team room because guys are just laughing and having fun,” Caper said. “But then when it’s time to go to business, it’s time to work. It’s a great feeling to be around that.”

Difference maker

Having a team that gets along is one thing, but winning games is an entirely different matter.

And although friendship and football might seem unrelated, Cousins said the wins won’t come unless the chemistry is there first.

“Football is a game where you’re so dependent on everyone around you,” he said.

“So chemistry is so important because we rely on everybody. We can’t just do it ourselves, and when you can’t just do it yourself, you have to have a relationship with the people around you in order to have success.”

Cousins said this year’s team has the talent and now the necessary bond to have a good season, but added that he won’t know for sure until the season begins.

As for the rest of the Spartans, they share similar feelings but are even more convinced that this close-knit MSU team can accomplish the goals they have set for 2010.

“That’s all the difference in the world,” Caper said.

“We have a family atmosphere, and the team is a family, and great things are going to happen from that.”