2006 Michigan State vs. Northwestern football game
Encyclopedia
The 2006 edition of the Michigan State Spartans
/ Northwestern Wildcats
football
game featured the biggest comeback in NCAA history. The Spartans, after falling behind to the Wildcats 38-3 with 9:54 remaining in the 3rd quarter, rallied to score 38 unanswered points to defeat the Wildcats 41-38.
32-yard field goal. Northwestern's first drive also resulted in a score. Quarterback C.J. Bacher found Ross Lane for a 5 yard touchdown giving Northwestern a 7-3 lead.
was intercepted. Northwestern capitalized on the great field position with Herbert catching a 5-yard touchdown pass, giving Northwestern a 38-3 lead. Michigan State began the comeback with a nine play, 65 yard drive capped off with an 18-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Stanton to running back Jehuu Caulcrick
. Following a Northwestern punt, Michigan State again ran a sustained drive, finishing an eight play, 53-yard campaign with a 4 yard touchdown run from A.J. Jimmerson. On the ensuing drive, the Wildcats had gained 69 yards in only 5 plays when Bacher was intercepted at the goal line by Michigan State middle linebacker Kaleb Thornhill. The quarter ended with the deficit cut from 38-3 to 38-17.
had his 6th pass of the drive intercepted by the Wildcats a minute into the period. However, after being unable to convert a short third down at midfield, the Wildcats had their punt blocked by Devin Thomas and returned for a touchdown by Ashton Henderson. This play is generally credited as the definitive momentum swinger.
The next two Northwestern drives would end in punts, and each ensuing Spartan drive would result in a touchdown. With the score tied at 38, the Wildcats had the ball on their own 15 yard line with 3:32 remaining in regulation. On the first play of the series, Bacher was intercepted by the Spartans' Travis Key at the Northwestern 40. The interception was returned for 10 yards to the 30 yard line. The Spartans ran the ball for the duration of the drive, advancing the ball to the Northwestern 11 yard line with 18 seconds left on the clock. MSU kicker Swenson would convert a 28 yard field goal to give the Spartans the lead.
The Wildcats would get the ball one more time, returning the ensuing kickoff to their own 37 yard line. Following an offsides penalty which moved the ball to the 42 yard line, Northwestern's final play for the end zone was unsuccessful and the Spartans finished the game as the winners, 41-38.
. In their next game against Notre Dame
, they lost despite leading by 16 points entering the 4th quarter. Their next 3 games were losses to Illinois
, Michigan
, and Ohio State
. The comeback was thought to save John L. Smith
's career at Michigan State, but on November 1, 2006 the university announced that Smith would not be brought back following the season as the Spartans finished with four more losses after this game.
Northwestern, by contrast, had already fallen out of bowl contention. The Wildcats would play a competitive game against Michigan the following week, and would defeat the bowl bound Iowa Hawkeyes
two weeks later (who later came close to upsetting Texas in the Alamo Bowl
).
Michigan State Spartans football
The Michigan State Spartans football program represents Michigan State University in college football as members of the Big Ten Conference at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level...
/ Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern Wildcats football
The Northwestern Wildcats football team, representing Northwestern University, is a NCAA Division I team and member of the Big Ten Conference, with evidence of organization in 1876...
football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
game featured the biggest comeback in NCAA history. The Spartans, after falling behind to the Wildcats 38-3 with 9:54 remaining in the 3rd quarter, rallied to score 38 unanswered points to defeat the Wildcats 41-38.
First quarter
Michigan State started the game with a 66-yard drive that ended with a Brett SwensonBrett Swenson
Brett Swenson is an American football placekicker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Michigan State University.-Early life:...
32-yard field goal. Northwestern's first drive also resulted in a score. Quarterback C.J. Bacher found Ross Lane for a 5 yard touchdown giving Northwestern a 7-3 lead.
Second quarter
The Wildcats' first drive of the second quarter resulting in Bacher rushing for a 2 yard touchdown, extending NU's lead to 14-3. The Spartans were forced to punt on the ensuing drive. Northwestern's Joel Howells kicked a 30 yard field goal on the next driving, making the score 17-3. On the following drive, Michigan State was once again forced to punt. Following the punt, Northwestern scored another touchdown on a Brandon Roberson 18-yard pass to Shaun Herbert giving the 'Cats a 24-3 lead. Michigan State's woes continued on their next drive, when they fumbled the football. However, they got some luck when Howells missed a 36-yard field goal at the end of the quarter.Third quarter
Northwestern began the third quarter with an 80-yard drive that resulted in a Bacher 22-yard touchdown pass to Lane, making the score 31-3. On the first play of the next drive, Drew StantonDrew Stanton
Drew Emeric Stanton is a quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He played collegiately for the Michigan State Spartans.-Early life:...
was intercepted. Northwestern capitalized on the great field position with Herbert catching a 5-yard touchdown pass, giving Northwestern a 38-3 lead. Michigan State began the comeback with a nine play, 65 yard drive capped off with an 18-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Stanton to running back Jehuu Caulcrick
Jehuu Caulcrick
Jehuu Tobias Caulcrick is an American football fullback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Michigan State....
. Following a Northwestern punt, Michigan State again ran a sustained drive, finishing an eight play, 53-yard campaign with a 4 yard touchdown run from A.J. Jimmerson. On the ensuing drive, the Wildcats had gained 69 yards in only 5 plays when Bacher was intercepted at the goal line by Michigan State middle linebacker Kaleb Thornhill. The quarter ended with the deficit cut from 38-3 to 38-17.
Fourth quarter
Michigan State's chances of completing the comeback appeared to be finished early in the fourth quarter, when backup quarterback Brian HoyerBrian Hoyer
Brian Hoyer is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was signed by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
had his 6th pass of the drive intercepted by the Wildcats a minute into the period. However, after being unable to convert a short third down at midfield, the Wildcats had their punt blocked by Devin Thomas and returned for a touchdown by Ashton Henderson. This play is generally credited as the definitive momentum swinger.
The next two Northwestern drives would end in punts, and each ensuing Spartan drive would result in a touchdown. With the score tied at 38, the Wildcats had the ball on their own 15 yard line with 3:32 remaining in regulation. On the first play of the series, Bacher was intercepted by the Spartans' Travis Key at the Northwestern 40. The interception was returned for 10 yards to the 30 yard line. The Spartans ran the ball for the duration of the drive, advancing the ball to the Northwestern 11 yard line with 18 seconds left on the clock. MSU kicker Swenson would convert a 28 yard field goal to give the Spartans the lead.
The Wildcats would get the ball one more time, returning the ensuing kickoff to their own 37 yard line. Following an offsides penalty which moved the ball to the 42 yard line, Northwestern's final play for the end zone was unsuccessful and the Spartans finished the game as the winners, 41-38.
Fallout
Michigan State had started the season off 3-0, including an impressive win over PittsburghUniversity of Pittsburgh Panthers
The Pittsburgh Panthers, commonly also referred to as the Pitt Panthers, are the athletic teams of University of Pittsburgh, although the term is colloquially used to refer to other aspects of the university such as alumni, faculty, and students...
. In their next game against Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
, they lost despite leading by 16 points entering the 4th quarter. Their next 3 games were losses to Illinois
Illinois Fighting Illini
The Fighting Illini are the intercollegiate athletic teams of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The University offers 10 men's and 11 women's varsity sports....
, Michigan
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
, and Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes football
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
. The comeback was thought to save John L. Smith
John L. Smith
John L. Smith is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the special teams coach at the University of Arkansas, under head coach Bobby Petrino...
's career at Michigan State, but on November 1, 2006 the university announced that Smith would not be brought back following the season as the Spartans finished with four more losses after this game.
Northwestern, by contrast, had already fallen out of bowl contention. The Wildcats would play a competitive game against Michigan the following week, and would defeat the bowl bound Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa Hawkeyes football
The Iowa Hawkeyes football team is the interscholastic football team at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Big Ten Conference since 1900, and are currently a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
two weeks later (who later came close to upsetting Texas in the Alamo Bowl
2006 Alamo Bowl
The 2006 Alamo Bowl Game was a college football bowl game, part of the 2006–2007 bowl season of the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The 2006 Alamo Bowl was played in the 65,000-seat Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on December 30....
).
See also
- 1966 Notre Dame vs. Michigan State football game
- Houston Oilers at Buffalo Bills, 1993 Wildcard PlayoffThe Comeback (American football)The Comeback was a NFL playoff game between the Buffalo Bills and the Houston Oilers played January 3, 1993. It featured the Bills recovering from a 32-point deficit to win in overtime, and it remains the largest comeback in NFL history...
- The Monday Night MiracleThe Monday Night Miracle (American football)In the National Football League, "The Monday Night Miracle" refers to a Monday night game between the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins played at Giants Stadium on October 23, 2000.-Background:...
- 2006 Insight Bowl2006 Insight BowlThe 2006 Insight Bowl, a college football bowl game held on December 29 at Sun Devil Stadium on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, pitted the Texas Tech Red Raiders against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. This game featured the biggest comeback in NCAA Division I FBS bowl history...
, a 2006 bowl game that saw the biggest comeback in NCAA Division I-A postseason history