Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio just gave himself a reason to get real creative with fourth-down play calls going forward.
With starting punter Jake Hartbarger on the shelf for at least six weeks after suffering a leg injury in the Week 2 loss at Arizona State, Dantonio has turned to redshirt-freshman quarterback Rocky Lombardi as his new punter.
Lombardi has previously only been listed on the depth chart as a backup for starting quarterback Brian Lewerke.
The No. 25 Spartans have one other punter on their roster in freshman William Przystup. They also have three kickers they could pick from with starter Matt Coghlin, backup Tyler Hunt and redshirt Cole Hahn.