Former Michigan State QB Rocky Lombardi struggles in UFL start for Michigan Panthers
Former Michigan State QB Rocky Lombardi struggles in UFL start for Michigan Panthers
Former Michigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi struggled in his UFL start on Saturday afternoon.
Lombardi got his first game action of the season for the Michigan Panthers on Saturday, and it frankly didn't go very well. Lombardi completed 8 of 18 pass attempts for 61 yards and threw one interception in the Panthers' loss against the Houston Roughnecks. He did, however, have some success on the ground with three carries for 30 yards.
Lombardi has primarily served as the Panthers' third string quarterback this season, but got the starting nod in the essentially meaningless season-finale. The Panthers had already locked up a spot in the UFL playoffs and were resting starters in this matchup against the Roughnecks.
Lombardi played three seasons at Michigan State from 2018 to 2020, where he appeared in 22 games at quarterback. He notably led Michigan State to upset wins over Purdue in 2018, and Michigan and Northwestern in 2020. His performance against the Wolverines in 2020 is still considered an all-timer for Michigan State.
Following the 2020 season, Lombardi transferred to Northern Illinois where he started most of the three seasons he played with he Huskies, which included winning the MAC championship in 2021.
Next up for Lombardi and the Panthers is the UFL playoffs. The Michigan Panthers will play the Birmingham Stallions in the USFL Conference Championship Game on June 8. That matchup will be televised on ABC at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
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