2006 Michigan State Spartans football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 football 2006 Michigan State Spartans Michigan State Spartans script.svg 120 Big Ten Conference Big Ten 4–8 1–7 John L. Smith 4th Dave Baldwin 4th Chris Smeland 4th Spread 4–3 Spartan Stadium 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,John L. Smith Records by Year, College Football Data Warehouse, Retrieved July 24, 2009. Archived July 26, 2009. and he was fired after the 2006 season in which the team finished 4–8.Phil Steele's 2009 College Football Preview, volume 15, p. 66, Summer 2009. The Spartans did, however, set the record for the greatest comeback from a deficit in college football history. Season recap Michigan State teams during Smith's tenure were "known for their late season collapses". 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. The Spartans then lost all but one game on the remainder of their schedule. 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. 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. 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. After the record-setting victory, it appeared that Smith's job was temporarily secured,Spartans stun Cats for biggest comeback in I-A history, ESPN, October 21, 2006. but the administration fired him shortly after a loss to Indiana the following week.Michigan State coach John L. Smith out after season, ESPN, November 1, 2006. The Spartans ended the season with four consecutive losses to finish with a 4–8 overall record and 1–7 against Big Ten opponents.https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/schedule/_/id/127/michigan-state-spartans Michigan State 2006 Schedule/Results ESPN July 24, 2009 In November, Mark Dantonio was hired as the replacement head coach.Michigan State hires Dantonio to coach football team, USA Today, November 27, 2006. Schedule 2006 Eastern September 2 12:00 p.m. w y Idaho Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI ESPN+ 27–17 70,711 September 9 3:30 p.m. w y Eastern Michigan Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI ESPN+ 52–20 69,856 September 16 12:00 p.m. w y y Pittsburgh Heinz Field Pittsburgh, PA ABC 38–23 47,956 September 23 8:00 p.m. l y Notre Dame 12 Megaphone Trophy Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI ABC 37–40 80,193 September 30 12:00 p.m. l y Illinois Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI ESPN+ 20–23 71,268 October 7 4:30 p.m. l y Michigan 6 Paul Bunyan Trophy Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI ESPN 13–31 111,349 October 14 3:30 p.m. l Ohio State 1 Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI ABC 7–38 73,498 October 21 12:00 p.m. w y Northwestern Ryan Field Evanston, IL ESPN+ 41–38 29,387 October 28 12:00 p.m. l y Indiana Old Brass Spittoon Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN ESPN+ 21–46 36,444 November 4 3:30 p.m. l Purdue Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI ESPNU 15–17 65,398 November 11 12:00 p.m. l Minnesota Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI ESPNU 18–31 64,807 November 18 12:00 p.m. l y Penn State Land Grant Trophy Beaver Stadium University Park, PA ESPN2 13–17 108,607 Game summaries Northwestern Michigan State 3 0 14 24 Northwestern 7 17 14 0 October 21 Ryan Field, Evanston, IL 12:00 p.m. EST 29,387 Wayne Larrivee (Play-by-play) & Kelly Stouffer (Color) ESPN+ yes Q1 MSU Swenson 32 yard field goal MSU 3–0 Q1 NW Lane 5 yard pass from Bacher (Howells kick) NW 7–3 Q2 NW Bacher 2 yard run (Howells kick) NW 14–3 Q2 NW Howells 30 yard field goal NW 17–3 Q2 NW Herbert 18 yard pass from Roberson (Howells kick) NW 24–3 Q3 NW Lane 22 yard pass from Bacher (Howells kick) NW 31–3 Q3 NW Herbert 5 yard pass from Bacher (Howells kick) NW 38–3 Q3 MSU Caulcrick 18 yard pass from Stanton (Swenson kick) NW 38–10 Q3 MSU Jimmerson 4 yard run (Swenson kick) NW 38–17 Q4 MSU Henderson 31 yard blocked punt return (Swenson kick) NW 38–24 Q4 MSU Stanton 12 yard run (Swenson kick) NW 38–31 Q4 MSU Williams 9 yard pass from Stanton (Swenson kick) Tie 38–38 Q4 :13 MSU Swenson 28 yard field goal MSU 41–38 yes Spartans Stun Cats for Biggest Comeback in I-A History https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=262940077 https://web.archive.org/web/20160820042416/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=262940077 dead August 20, 2016 ESPN October 21, 2006 September 29, 2014 Coaching staff John L. Smith – Head coach Blaine Bennett – Assistant head coach/wide receivers coach Dave Baldwin – Offensive coordinator/Tight end coach Dan Enos – Quarterbacks coach Ben Sirmans – Running backs coach/special teams coordinator Jeff Stoutland – Offensive line coach Chris Smeland – Defensive coordinator/safeties Derrick Jackson – Defensive line coach Mike Cox – Linebackers coach/recruiting coordinator Chuck Driesbach – Defensive backs coach 2007 NFL draft The following players were selected in the 2007 NFL draft. Michigan State Spartans Player Round Pick Position NFL team Drew Stanton 2 43 Quarterback Detroit Lions Clifton Ryan 5 154 Defensive Tackle St. Louis Rams Brandon Fields 7 225 Punter Miami Dolphins References Michigan State Category:Michigan State Spartans football seasons Michigan State Spartans football