Key Northern Illinois offensive player is ‘gametime decision’ vs. Kentucky, per report
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Northern Illinois could have its quarterback, Rocky Lombardi, available on Saturday as it visits Kentucky.
Lombardi suffered a leg injury in the 2nd quarter of a Week 3 game against Vanderbilt that saw his evening come to a premature end. The former Michigan State player was a perfect 7-of-7 for 79 yards and a touchdown prior to his exit.
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, though, Lombardi “has progressed this week” and is considered to be a “gametime decision”.
Lombardi has thrown 5 touchdowns vs. just 1 interception thus far in 2022. In 2021, his 1st year with the Huskies, he threw for 2,597 yards while tossing 15 touchdowns and 8 picks.
NIU is coming off 2021 season that saw it beat Kent State in the MAC Championship. It then played in the Cure Bowl, where it lost to Coastal Carolina.
Kickoff between the Huskies and Wildcats is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Source: Northern Illinois QB Rocky Lombardi has progressed this week and will be a gametime decision against Kentucky tonight (ESPN2). Lombardi left the Vanderbilt game last week with an undisclosed injury. Lombardi is a Michigan St transfer led NIU to the MAC title last year.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 24, 2022
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
