Northern Illinois may have its starting quarterback when the Wildcats host the Huskies Saturday night at Kroger Field. Michigan State transfer Rocky Lombardi exited last week’s game against Vanderbilt after an awkward slide to the turf. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports Lombardi “has progressed this week and will be a game-time decision against Kentucky.”
Lombardi was 7-of-7 for 79 yards and a touchdown when he suffered the undisclosed injury last Saturday. Redshirt freshman quarterback Ethan Hampton entered the game and led Northern Illinois to a pair of scoring drives before the Huskies’ lead collapsed.