EVANSTON, Ill. — Nearly an hour after the game, Drew Stanton was trying to digest what he'd just been a part of — the greatest comeback in NCAA Division I-A history.

Trailing 38-3 in the third quarter, Michigan State rallied yesterday for a 41-38 victory over Northwestern as the Spartans ended a four-game losing streak in dramatic fashion and momentarily took the heat off coach John L. Smith.

"It hasn't really sunk in yet," Stanton said.

After a frustrating losing stretch that began when they blew a big lead late against Notre Dame, the Spartans finally got a chance to experience the other side. It felt pretty good.

"Hopefully this can be a turning point in our season. I definitely think it can be and people can build from this," said Stanton, who shook off a late hit in the third quarter, one that sent him sprawling into concrete around the bench and knocked him out for a series.

Michigan State (4-4, 1-3) got back in game when Ashton Henderson returned a blocked punt for a TD early in the fourth, and the Spartans won it when Brett Swenson kicked a 28-yard field goal with 13 seconds left after a key interception by Travis Key.

Smith, who's been under heavy criticism, took no questions in a postgame news conference. He pointed to his staff and especially his players.

"The ones who really deserve the credit are those guys," Smith said. "They played the game, they believed in each other. They continued to fight, they pulled together and deserved everything they got today."

Until this riveting game, the biggest comeback in Division I-A was 31 points — when Maryland beat Miami, 42-40, on Nov. 10, 1984, and when Ohio State defeated Minnesota, 41-37, on Oct. 28, 1989.

Northwestern (2-6, 0-4) led 24-3 at the half, and the crushing defeat sent the Wildcats to their fifth straight loss.

"As difficult a loss as I've ever been a part of," said first-year Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald, who took the blame for his team losing momentum and eventually the game. "It hurts very bad."

Michigan State trailed 38-3 with 9:54 left in the third quarter after Northwestern's C.J. Bacher threw his third TD pass, a 5-yarder to Shaun Herbert.

The Spartans tied the game at 38 when Stanton hit T.J. Williams with a 9-yard touchdown pass with 3:43 left.

Key then intercepted Bacher at the 30 with 2:59 left and State moved in position for Swenson's field goal.

Miami 20, Duke 15: Willie Cooper intercepted Thad Lewis' pass at the goal line as time expired, and short-handed Miami (5-2, 2-1 ACC) held off host Duke (0-7, 0-5) in the Hurricanes' first game since last week's ugly on-field fight.

Kyle Wright had two touchdown passes to Sam Shields for the Hurricanes, who nearly blew an 18-point lead and were without 13 players suspended for taking part in last week's nasty brawl with Florida International.

Duke had 380 total yards to Miami's 329 and nearly pulled off the huge upset after rallying from a 20-2 deficit with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

Penn State 26, Illinois 12: Cornerback Tony Davis scored on a 6-yard fumble return, Anthony Scirrotto had two interceptions and returned an onside kick for a touchdown, and host Penn State (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) beat Illinois (2-6, 1-3).

The Nittany Lions struggled on offense, but the defense came up with big stops in Illinois territory and Penn State scored nine points in the last 1:20 to pull away.

Dan Connor sacked Isiah Williams in the end zone for a safety with 1:20 left. Scirrotto recovered the ensuing onside kick and returned it 29 yards for a score.

Georgia 27, Mississippi State 24: Charles Johnson forced a fumble and recovered it with three seconds left to end Mississippi State's final comeback attempt and host Georgia (6-2, 3-2 SEC) overcame five turnovers.

Mississippi State (2-6, 0-4) began its final possession at its 20 with 45 seconds left.

On second down from the Georgia 22, Michael Henig was looking for a receiver and was poised to throw when Johnson, a defensive end, stripped the ball and made the recovery.

Virginia Tech 36, Southern Miss 6: Branden Ore rushed for a career-high 207 yards and scored two touchdowns as host Virginia Tech (5-2) beat Southern Mississippi (4-3).

Ore, who carried the ball 23 times, had a 70-yard touchdown run with 10:21 left in the fourth quarter. Backup Kenny Lewis Jr. had a 14-yard run for the final score with 44 seconds left.

The Hokies had 284 yards rushing to 82 for the Golden Eagles, and 398 total yards to 216.

Maryland 26, N.C. State 20: Maryland converted two consecutive turnovers into 14 third-quarter points, and the host Terrapins (5-2, 2-1 ACC) beat North Carolina State (3-4, 2-2).

Maryland led 6-0 before a fumble recovery and an interception produced two quick touchdowns and a 20-point cushion.

Maryland's Sam Hollenbach went 7 for 9 for 115 yards and a touchdown, and Lance Ball ran for 77 yards and a score.

Texas Tech 42, Iowa State 26: Graham Harrell threw for 368 yards and a career-high six touchdowns and visiting Texas Tech (5-3, 2-2 Big 12) beat Iowa State (3-5, 0-4).

Harrell, a first-year starter, completed 31 of 40 throws.

Joel Filani caught three touchdown passes and Danny Amendola added a pair of TD receptions for Texas Tech.

Arizona State 38, Stanford 3: Ryan Torain ran for 90 yards and a touchdown and caught a touchdown pass to help host Arizona State (4-3, 1-3 Pac-10) beat Stanford (0-8, 0-5).

Keegan Herring added two touchdown runs as the Sun Devils handed Stanford its 10th straight loss, a streak dating to last season.

The Sun Devils limited Stanford to 145 total yards.