The 2006 Michigan State Spartans football team represented
Michigan State University in the
2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Michigan State competed as a member of the
Big Ten Conference, and played their home games at
Spartan Stadium in
East Lansing, Michigan. The Spartans were led by fourth-year head coach
John L. Smith. Smith had compiled a combined 18–18 record in his previous seasons at Michigan State,[1] and he was fired after the 2006 season in which the team finished 4–8.[2] The Spartans did, however, set the record for the greatest comeback from a deficit in college football history.[3]
Season recap
Michigan State teams during Smith's tenure were "known for their late season collapses".[2] The Spartans started the 2006 season with a 3–0 record with victories over
Idaho,
Eastern Michigan, and
Pittsburgh. The following week, Michigan State led
Notre Dame, 37–21, in the third quarter, but surrendered 19 points to lose the game.[2] The Spartans then lost all but one game on the remainder of their schedule.[4]
On October 21, Michigan State traveled to
Evanston, Illinois to face
Northwestern. By the third quarter, Northwestern had extended its lead to a commanding 38–3.[3] Michigan State gained momentum in the fourth quarter when
Devin Thomas blocked a Northwestern
punt, which was then returned for a
touchdown by Ashton Henderson. Northwestern was forced to punt twice more and Michigan State capitalized on each possession with a touchdown, which tied the game, 38–38.[3] Placekicker
Brett Swenson made good the game-winning
field goal with 0:13 remaining to play, and Michigan State won the
greatest comeback in college football history.[3]
After the record-setting victory, it appeared that Smith's job was temporarily secured,[3] but the administration fired him shortly after a loss to
Indiana the following week.[5] The Spartans ended the season with four consecutive losses to finish with a 4–8 overall record and 1–7 against Big Ten opponents.[4] In November,
Mark Dantonio was hired as the replacement head coach.[6]
The 2006 Michigan State Spartans football team represented
Michigan State University in the
2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Michigan State competed as a member of the
Big Ten Conference, and played their home games at
Spartan Stadium in
East Lansing, Michigan. The Spartans were led by fourth-year head coach
John L. Smith. Smith had compiled a combined 18–18 record in his previous seasons at Michigan State,[1] and he was fired after the 2006 season in which the team finished 4–8.[2] The Spartans did, however, set the record for the greatest comeback from a deficit in college football history.[3]
Season recap
Michigan State teams during Smith's tenure were "known for their late season collapses".[2] The Spartans started the 2006 season with a 3–0 record with victories over
Idaho,
Eastern Michigan, and
Pittsburgh. The following week, Michigan State led
Notre Dame, 37–21, in the third quarter, but surrendered 19 points to lose the game.[2] The Spartans then lost all but one game on the remainder of their schedule.[4]
On October 21, Michigan State traveled to
Evanston, Illinois to face
Northwestern. By the third quarter, Northwestern had extended its lead to a commanding 38–3.[3] Michigan State gained momentum in the fourth quarter when
Devin Thomas blocked a Northwestern
punt, which was then returned for a
touchdown by Ashton Henderson. Northwestern was forced to punt twice more and Michigan State capitalized on each possession with a touchdown, which tied the game, 38–38.[3] Placekicker
Brett Swenson made good the game-winning
field goal with 0:13 remaining to play, and Michigan State won the
greatest comeback in college football history.[3]
After the record-setting victory, it appeared that Smith's job was temporarily secured,[3] but the administration fired him shortly after a loss to
Indiana the following week.[5] The Spartans ended the season with four consecutive losses to finish with a 4–8 overall record and 1–7 against Big Ten opponents.[4] In November,
Mark Dantonio was hired as the replacement head coach.[6]