Indiana optimistic QB Rourke back vs Mich

Oct 28, 2024, 03:00 PM ET

Indiana coach Curt Cignetti stated Monday he remains “optimistic” beginning quarterback Kurtis Rourke can go back to the lineup for Saturday’s game at Michigan State.Rourke had surgery

on his injured right thumb last Monday and missed last weekend’s 31-17 triumph over Washington.The 13th-ranked Hoosiers(8-0, 5-0 Big 10)are tied with No. 1 Oregon for the league lead. No. 3 Penn State also is one of the 8 staying unbeaten groups but has actually played one fewer conference game.Rourke, a Canadian now in his sixth college season, moved from Ohio University to Indiana

this season following an injury-plagued 2023 season with the Bobcats. Rourke also suffered a season-ending knee injury late in 2022 however was still selected as the Mid-American Conference’s MVP. But the thumb injury that knocked Rourke out at halftime of a 56-7 triumph over Nebraska doesn’t look like it will sideline him a lot longer.”Optimistic on Kurtis Rourke, he’s thrown the last few days, building up,”said Cignetti, the first FBS coach to post back-to-back 8-0 begins at various schools.”[ His] work will increase as the week goes on. That’s all I’m going to state about it.”If Rourke doesn’t play, third-year quarterback Tayven Jackson would make his 2nd straight start. Jackson went 11 of 19 with 124 lawns, one TD and one interception while also running for a rating as Indiana matched the 1967 Rose Bowl team for the best start in program history.Indiana might reach 9-0 for the first time by beating the Spartans(4-4, 2-3 )and claiming the Old Brass Spittoon.Cignetti thinks the Hoosiers will remain in excellent hands– despite who starts behind center.”There was excellent and bad,”Cignetti said when inquired about Jackson.”He’s got to build on the excellent and remove the bad. He’ll have an excellent movie session with Coach (Tino)Sunseri

(Monday) night. Like everybody else, much better, worse, never remain the exact same– need to be much better.

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