Rocky

Lombardi

Lombardi (6'3/227) started the game off hot. He took a QB sneak for 30 yards in the first quarter where he stood upright and kept his legs moving. Threw a touchdown pass to go up 24-16 with 1:12 left in the first half. In response to a Chanticleers touchdown drive to start the half, he ran a read-option inside the five that fooled everyone, even the cameraman for an easy walk-in touchdown. On a third and 14 down six towards the end of the fourth quarter, Lombardi took off with the football and looked to have a first down, but the ball was knocked loose by Silas Kelly and the Chanticleers took over. They got the ball back with about two minutes to go, but the clock ran out after converting a fourth down inside the five. While they have been dynamite in comeback attempts, this one falls just short. If he doesn’t fumble on that third down just minutes prior, the ending might have been slightly different.

Lombardi (6'3/227) didn’t need to do much with his arm in this one, but as the Huskies rushed for over 250 yards on the day and scored four times on the ground, with three of those coming on goal line punch ins by Lombardi. The Huskies entered this game as 3.5 point underdogs, but never trailed in this game, as they held a 17-0 lead at halftime. Now MAC Conference champions, NIU waits to see who they will face in its upcoming bowl game.

Lombardi (6'3/227) was an unexpected scratch back on November 23rd against Western Michigan, as hours before the game it was announced that he would be out with an undisclosed injury, which gave way to freshman Ethan Hampton to make his first career start. The Huskies will be glad to get Lombardi back for this one, after Hampton completed just 4-of-10 passes for 23 yards on the day against Western Michigan. Lombardi should be in for a good day against a Kent State defense that has allowed the fourth most passing yards per game in the nation (291.3).

All day, the line sat at NIU +4, only for it to jump to +5.5 points about two hours before the game, making some injury news expected. Unfortunately, for those looking forward to seeing Lombardi (6'3/227) against Western Michigan on a Tuesday night, will have to settle for Ethan Hampton, who will make his first career start for the Huskies. The former three-star recruit is a member of the 2021 recruiting class, and was ranked as the 113th best quarterback of the class according to 247Sports.com’s composite rankings.

Lombardi (6'3/227) had put up some prodigious passing marks over the past few weeks, but the Huskies relied on the run game to bring home the win and secure the MAC West Division championship in the process. It’s an especially impressive feat considering NIU was winless during the pandemic shortened 2020 season. Northern Illinois absolutely mauled Buffalo on the ground, racking up 309 rushing yards at a 6.8 yards per play clip on the day. Though Lombardi lacked many highlight reel worthy plays, he steadily moved the ball down the field and helped NIU achieve 25 first downs while punting just twice. The MAC West champs wrap up their regular season against Western Michigan next Tuesday.

The Huskies didn’t do themselves any favors to start the game, as their first ten points allowed were the result of a fumble and subsequent interception thrown by Lombardi (6'3/227). However NIU rallied shortly thereafter when the blonde bomber rolled left and uncorked a 58-yard touchdown strike to Cole Tucker to tie the game at 17-17 with just :32 left in the first half. Lombardi put Northern Illinois up with a gritty 14 play, 69-yard fourth quarter touchdown drive that ate up 7:22 of clock to give his team the 27-26 advantage with under three minutes to go. He then orchestrated a 10-play, 62 yard drive that led to the game winning, walk-off field goal to give the Huskies a dramatic come-from-behind victory over the Cardinals. NIU travels to play Buffalo next Wednesday in a big MAC West Division matchup.

Lombardi (6'3/227) completed 33-of-57 passes for 532 yards and three touchdowns in a 52-47 loss to Western Michigan last Wednesday before taking a helmet-to-helmet hit which caused him to be replaced on the next play, which NIU score on. The team did not record another offensive play in the contest, so it was unknown if he would have been able to return. He is good to go against Ball State Wednesday evening in what should be an offensive explosion.

Lombardi (6'3"/227) torched Kent State’s shameful pass defense all night long, peppering Trayvon Rudolph with an absurd 21 targets while setting a new school record for passing yardage. He unleashed a barrage of explosive plays with touchdown passes of 75, 36 and 34 yards. His stats were aided by Kent State jumping out to a 45-27 lead late in the third-quarter with NIU cranking up their passing game in an attempt to play catch up. Lombardi did take a helmet-to-helmet hit late in the fourth quarter and was replaced on the following play, so it will be a situation to monitor ahead of next Tuesday’s game against Ball State.

Lombardi (6'3/227) was efficient and explosive throughout the afternoon in Mount Pleasant, MI. He even connected with Trayvon Rudolph for a 75-touchdown on a beautiful post route to get back within 11 after falling down 17 points. Down by two late in the fourth quarter, the Huskies got the ball with 5:56 left in the game. Lombardi led them on a well-executed four-minute drill to set up a Kanon Woodhill 26-yard field goal for the win. Lombardi has his best performance since transferring from Michigan State and will look to continue this momentum for the 6-2 Huskies on Wednesday, November 3rd as they take on Kent State.

Lombardi (6'3"/227), who’s never been much of a passer, wasn’t much of one again today but did hit Trayvon Rudolph for an important touchdown in the third quarter that made the score 31-16. It was a good throw with Rudolph pretty well-covered in the end zone. Lombardi opened the Huskies’ scoring with a three yard scramble. Off the play action rollout, Lombardi couldn’t find an open man so he took it himself, getting the edge and taking into the skies to score. Lombardi has led the Huskies to a fun season, and will hope to keep that going against Central Michigan.