EAST LANSING - As a former college player and longtime coach, Tony Lombardi knows football.
And he, more than anyone else, knows the talent and potential possessed by his son, Michigan State redshirt freshman Rocky Lombardi.
Yet, when Michigan State punter Jake Hartbarger was injured in the fourth quarter of Saturday's 16-13 loss at Arizona State, Tony couldn't believe what he saw from his seat at Sun Devil Stadium. Lombardi, the Spartans' backup quarterback, trotted on the field to make his college debut as a punter.
"I am probably as shocked as everybody in America that follows the Spartans," said Tony, who played at Arizona State.