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Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
National
Jeff Agrest

Rocky Lombardi sparks Northern Illinois to win over Kent State, bowl-eligibility

KENT, Ohio — Rocky Lombardi scored from a yard out with just under five minutes left in the game and Jacob Finley recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown as time expired to give Northern Illinois a 37-27 win over Kent State in the season finale Saturday afternoon.

Northern Illinois finished its season with back-to-back wins to go 6-6 overall, 5-3 and in second place in the Mid-American Conference West Division, three games behind unbeaten 8-0 Toledo. 

Kent State put up 17 points in the second quarter and took a 17-10 lead at the half. Lombardi threw 16 yards to Grayson Barnes for a touchdown to start the third quarter, then punched over from the 1 to take a 24-20 lead after three quarters. 

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