The date was October 21, 2006, and the site was Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois. In a seemingly routine Big Ten matchup, the Michigan State Spartans traveled to face the Northwestern Wildcats. By the mid-third quarter, the game had turned into a historic rout, but not in the direction anyone expected.
With 9:54 left in the third quarter, a Northwestern touchdown pass gave the Wildcats a staggering 38-3 lead. For the Michigan State Spartans, who were suffering through a four-game losing streak, the game looked lost. However, what happened next entered the record books as the biggest comeback in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) history, with MSU scoring 38 unanswered points.
Benton Harbor, Michigan · Sunday, October 22, 2006 – Newspapers.com
The momentum shift began with a spark of offense as quarterback Drew Stanton—despite battling injuries—threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Jehuu Caulcrick. A subsequent touchdown run by A.J. Jimmerson narrowed the deficit, and a crucial goal-line interception by linebacker Kaleb Thornhill prevented Northwestern from extending their lead.
The comeback became a full-blown reality in the fourth quarter, fueled by special teams and defense. Early in the final period, Devin Thomas blocked a Northwestern punt, which was scooped up and returned 33 yards for a touchdown by Ashton Henderson, bringing the score to 38-24. Stanton returned to the field, leading a drive that he finished himself with a 12-yard touchdown run.
With the score at 38-31, Stanton completed six straight passes on the next drive, culminating in a 9-yard TD toss to T.J. Williams to tie the game at 38 with 3:43 remaining. An interception by Travis Key gave MSU the ball in scoring territory, setting up kicker Brett Swenson for a game-winning 28-yard field goal with 13 seconds left, sealing the incredible 41-38 victory.
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