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Thirteen months and 13 hard-fought games later, that job appears done.

"We came in and heard a lot of things, heard negative things in terms of how we'd perform, and I think that was the first step we took," Dantonio said after Friday's 24-21 Champs Sports Bowl loss to Boston College. "Hopefully we've earned back some respect."

MSU took the 14th-ranked Eagles (11-4) to the wire, as it did every team on its schedule this year, before succumbing to two late Matt Ryan touchdown passes and five Brian Hoyer turnovers.

The Spartans finished 7-6, but lost twice in overtime and never by more than a touchdown. On Friday, they packed Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium with an estimated 25,000 fans — almost as many as they brought to Orlando seven years ago for the more prestigious Citrus Bowl — and helped the game set a record for attendance.

"I'm very happy with the success we had" this season, said running back Javon Ringer. "We did a lot of things that a lot of people didn't really expect us to do. Every game that we've lost, we never lost by more than a touchdown. We were always there, we were always a couple plays from winning. You can't really ask for anything more."

Surely seven-win seasons and close losses won't suffice forever, but Dantonio said a foundation for success was laid with MSU's new-found resiliency. Under John L. Smith's watch, the Spartans were famous for late-season collapses (1-8 and 1-6 finishes his last two years) and heartbreaking defeats (last year's stunning 16-point fourth-quarter collapse against Notre Dame).

Next year, more will be expected of the Spartans, but MSU will be in better shape to deliver on its upside.

Eleven of Friday's 22 starters are seniors and receiver Devin Thomas is expected to declare early for the NFL, but Javon Ringer (a non-starter Friday) is back after a 1,400-yard season, Greg Jones is an emerging star at linebacker, and MSU has strength in numbers with four capable cornerbacks in Kendell Davis-Clark, Ross Weaver, Ashton Henderson and Chris L. Rucker.

With a tougher schedule that includes a season-opening a trip to California, MSU must answer these three questions to improve on this year's success in 2008:

— Assuming Thomas turns pro, who becomes MSU's go-to receiver? Thomas set a bevy of Spartan records this year and was one of the Big Ten's best return men. It's hard to imagine him back if he grades out as a second-round pick as projected. Freshman Mark Dell (Farmington Hills Harrison) has the requisite speed and big-play ability to emerge on the outside, but he caught just one pass Friday to cap an up-and-down year. Recruit Fred Smith has a world of talent and Deon Curry (Birmingham Detroit Country Day) is a nice No. 2 and good blocker, but Thomas was a game-changer. The Spartans also need Charlie Gantt (Birmingham Brother Rice) to fill big shoes at tight end with Kellen Davis off to the NFL.

— Who provides the pass rush now that Jonal Saint-Dic and Ervin Baldwin have used up their eligibility? It's tough to imagine anyone on the current roster having the impact Saint-Dic did. Then again, it was tough to imagine Saint-Dic coming from nowhere to lead MSU in sacks and set a Big Ten record for forced fumbles.

Brandon Long likely will start at left end next year. His two career sacks are one fewer than Saint-Dic had entering the season. Replacing Baldwin is more problematic. Michael Jordan seems more suited for defensive tackle, Justin Kershaw could move back from tackle to end, and incoming freshman Tyler Hoover (Novi) could be in line for immediate playing time. Hoover is a blue-chip talent, but first-year linemen don't often make an impact in the Big Ten.

— Who's the real Hoyer, the quarterback who led MSU to late-season wins over Purdue and Penn State, or the one that threw four interceptions and lost a fumble against Boston College? Hoyer was OK in his first season as starter. He was remarkably efficient at times (14-of-17 against UAB) and wasn't particularly turnover prone (just seven regular-season INTs) until the bowl game.

Physically, he has the tools to make most throws, but MSU will have a new left side of an offensive line next year and Hoyer needs to be more consistent in pressure situations. He made a number of bad reads against Boston College, but should enter next fall as the clear-cut No. 1. "It's unfortunate that my growing pains hurt the team," Hoyer said Friday. "But it's definitely something that I'll learn from and build on for next year."