EAST LANSING - Rocky Lombardi was on one knee in a huddle about to call a play during practice recently.
Instead of making the call, hopping up and getting to the line of scrimmage, the Michigan State quarterback was shoved to the ground by redshirt junior offensive lineman Tyler Higby.
"Just that kind of stuff - joking around with your teammates and having fun - that's kind of when you know that they're comfortable with you," Lombardi said after practice Tuesday night, "and that they respect you."
Lombardi is just a redshirt freshman and, prior to this season, had never taken a snap for the Spartans.