some on here wondered the status- Rocky Lombardi our backup Qb who punted the other night is now having to punt- big loss on a dead play
Hartbarger out 6-8 weeks
Michigan State punter Jake Hartbarger is out six to eight weeks after suffering an injury in the second half of last weekend’s game.
“He's got a bone bruise or maybe a slight fracture in there,” Dantonio said. “We're going to miss him.” Back-up quarterback Rocky Lombardi will serve as Michigan State’s punter until Hartbarger returns. Reserve kicker Tyler Hunt could also see action at punter.
“Rocky, great athlete and he's punted before,” Dantonio said. “He was our backup punter.”
There is a recent precedent for using a quarterback as punter. Michigan State used back-up quarterback Tyler O’Connor in that role back in 2015 when Hartbarger was a freshman.
Freshman walk-on William Przystup, a three-time all-conference punter at Florida’s Oviedo High School, may get a look at punter if Lombardi is unable to effectively execute his new role effectively.
Hartbarger was hit during a second-half punt. That play should have resulted in a personal foul, but didn't because of a false start on the offense.
Dantonio declined to comment specifically on whether officials erred in not throwing the flag. He did, however, indicated that he had sought and received clarification on the issue.
Hartbarger out 6-8 weeks
Michigan State punter Jake Hartbarger is out six to eight weeks after suffering an injury in the second half of last weekend’s game.
“He's got a bone bruise or maybe a slight fracture in there,” Dantonio said. “We're going to miss him.” Back-up quarterback Rocky Lombardi will serve as Michigan State’s punter until Hartbarger returns. Reserve kicker Tyler Hunt could also see action at punter.
“Rocky, great athlete and he's punted before,” Dantonio said. “He was our backup punter.”
There is a recent precedent for using a quarterback as punter. Michigan State used back-up quarterback Tyler O’Connor in that role back in 2015 when Hartbarger was a freshman.
Freshman walk-on William Przystup, a three-time all-conference punter at Florida’s Oviedo High School, may get a look at punter if Lombardi is unable to effectively execute his new role effectively.
Hartbarger was hit during a second-half punt. That play should have resulted in a personal foul, but didn't because of a false start on the offense.
Dantonio declined to comment specifically on whether officials erred in not throwing the flag. He did, however, indicated that he had sought and received clarification on the issue.
Last edited:
