The last moments of Rocky Lombardi’s career at Michigan State football shouldn’t be his exit from the Ohio State blowout, walking off Spartan Stadium dazed and confused after taking a head-crunching shot from behind. Or his inefficient performance before it.
Remember instead a subtle play near the end of the Penn State game last Saturday, with Lombardi on the sideline in street clothes and a green No. 12 jacket with the rest of his teammates. His replacement, Payton Thorne, connected with Jalen Nailor on an out pattern in front of the Spartans’ bench. As the receiver fell out of bounds, Lombardi moved forward, helped him up and gave Nailor both a push back onto the field and a pat on the helmet for a good route and catch.