Interim Michigan State coach Don Treadwell said Tuesday that he’s maintained daily contact with head coach Mark Dantonio since his heart attack, and that Dantonio is “doing so much better.”

“Like any hospital, we’re limited,” Treadwell said. “But each day, we’ve seen him, and we’ve seen his energy level moving forward in a positive way, and we’re excited.”

Dantonio, 54, suffered a heart attack following Michigan State’s 34-31 overtime win over Notre Dame on Saturday. Coaches from around the Big Ten wished him well Tuesday.

“He’s a tough kid,” said Penn State coach Joe Paterno, 83. “Mark is a very intense guy, sure is a smart guy, a great guy and a great coach. He’ll get through this.”

“We were all sorry to learn of Mark’s condition, but we’re encouraged by his progress and wish him a full and fast recovery,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said.

Denard garners respect

Minnesota coach Tim Brewster hasn’t seen Denard Robinson in person -- the Gophers fell off Michigan’s Big Ten schedule in 2009 and 2010 -- but he’s awestruck by Robinson’s development.

“The thing that has really struck me about Denard is how Rich (Rodriguez) has brought him along as a passer,” Brewster said Tuesday. “I’m kind of amazed at his numbers. He’s obviously a very special player.”

In 2009, Robinson completed 45.2 percent of his passes while throwing four interceptions in 31 attempts.

Through three games in 2010, Robinson has completed 69.7 percent of his attempts for 671 yards, four TDs and one interception.

Beware of the FCS opponents

Scheduling opponents from the Football Championship Subdivision is easy. The schools are eager for a financial windfall and don’t request a home date in return.

Beating FCS teams is becoming more difficult.

Consider the Michigan football team’s past three experiences against FCS opponents: they escaped with a 42-37 win against UMass, drubbed Delaware State 63-6 and lost to Appalachian State, 34-32.

“It’s so hard to schedule a nonconference home game that schools are reaching,” Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said about dipping down into the I-AA ranks for opponents. “But you’ve got to be careful. You’ve got to make sure your guys are ready to play.”

Entering Saturday’s game, Rodriguez thought the Wolverines were ready. He thought the team had a good week of practice before shoddy defense nearly cost the team a win against UMass.

“You worry about the letdown after a good win and you’ve got an FCS opponent coming in,” he said. “I was surprised that, defensively, we didn’t play very well.”

East Lansing connections

When Michigan State interim coach Don Treadwell played wide receiver at Miami (Ohio) in the late 1970s, Jim Tressel worked as his position coach. It was the start of a lengthy professional relationship.

“When I went to Youngstown State, he was one of the first guys I called,” Tressel said. “Don is a special guy, and I know Mark Dantonio is very comfortable with the fact that Donnie will do whatever needs to be done.”

Treadwell worked as Tressel’s offensive coordinator for six seasons in Youngstown.

In another connection between the two schools, Tressel’s nephew, Mike Tressel, works as the special teams and linebackers coach in East Lansing -- he devised the fake field goal that beat Notre Dame in overtime last Saturday.

Early enrollee tradeoffs

The practice of enrolling players early has gained momentum throughout college football in recent years - Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez likes the practice.

Count Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald among its skeptics.

“Obviously, it’s beneficial for winter workouts and practice, but I’m more worried about burnout when a young man misses his prom or part of his senior year of high school,” Fitzgerald said.

“I remember that year of my life, and it was an awesome year. I wish I could do it again,” he laughed. “Unfortunately, some young men want to graduate early and be 18 or 21 before they need to be. We have to let young people mature and grow up.”

Pete Bigelow can be reached at (734) 623-2556, via email at petebigelow@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @PeterCBigelow.