“I think (Cousins) is probably the all-time leading quarterback here at this point, and (Cunningham’s) the all-time leading receiver,” head coach Mark Dantonio said. “(They’re) the best we’ve had here at Michigan State.”

Both Cousins and Cunningham have said neither of them would be in the record-breaking positions they currently are in without the other, but records and statistics aren’t what make the pair one of the best.

They joined MSU’s roster in 2007 and played on the Spartans’ scout team together. After five years of playing together, their chemistry has been a powerful force for MSU.

“The more time we can work together, the better we’re going to be,” Cousins said. “(2007 is) when it started to build, and it’s still showing itself in 2011. (He’s) our best receiver, and he’s always been a special talent. I’m just thankful I’ve been able to play alongside him.”

Headed into the Big Ten championship game this weekend, Cousins is averaging 227.9 yards per game and has 21 touchdown passes on the season.

Cunningham leads MSU’s receivers, averaging 93.8 yards per game with nine touchdowns.

In 2011 alone, the duo has combined for many memorable plays. They scored MSU’s only touchdown in the win over Ohio State when Cousins patiently waited for Cunningham and hit a 33-yard pass to him deep in the end zone.

Against Wisconsin on a fourth-and-two play in the second quarter, they came up big again, with Cousins finding Cunningham for a 35-yard touchdown pass to help the Spartans defeat the Badgers.

“It’s just reps in practice and reps just one-on-one catching the ball with him and just knowing where he’s going to go,” Cunningham said. “I just feel it, and that’s what you’ve got to do with your quarterback — find the chemistry, find the rhythm, and that’s what we’ve got.”

As they continue to play, their faith and trust in each other advances with MSU’s success. They played a major role in MSU’s 31-17 victory over Northwestern last weekend. Helping Cousins break the all-time touchdown passing record, Cunningham caught two scoring receptions — one of which he bobbled while trying to secure possession and run simultaneously.

After the game, Dantonio called Cousins’ pass “an NFL throw,” while still being impressed with Cunningham’s soft hands.

“You’re going to be more comfortable with the guy who’s getting open and the guy who can make all the tough catches, and he’s certainly done that,” Cousins said. “The more and more we’ve played together from the scout team on, the more I’m confident in where he’s going to be, and how he’s going to adjust routes, and how he’s going to see the same things I’m seeing.”

Coming into MSU, Cunningham said he had no idea what he and Cousins would be able to do together, calling it an experience he’ll never forget.

“(We) didn’t know if we were ever going to step on the field, and now here we are, breaking records together,” Cunningham said. “It’s crazy, but just to be … with him on the field, him tossing me the ball — it’s a privilege.”