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QB Payton Thorne to start for Michigan State football against Penn State

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — It’s Payton Thorne’s turn.

Michigan State football's redshirt freshman quarterback will make his first career start Saturday at Penn State, a week after starter Rocky Lombardi got hurt against No. 4 Ohio State.

Lombardi is not in uniform for the noon kickoff (ABC). The Spartans (2-4) brought true freshman Noah Kim as the third QB behind Thorne and sophomore Theo Day.

Thorne took over after Lombardi got knocked out against the Buckeyes with 4:29 to play, his head bouncing off the turf on a sack. The junior, who started all six games this season, did not return.