Kurtis Rourke injury update: Curt Cignetti makes decision on Indiana QB vs. Michigan State

On Thursday, Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti said quarterback Kurtis Rourke will “start and play the game” on Saturday against Michigan State, per The Herald Times’ Michael Niziolek. Rourke received surgery for a thumb injury he suffered against Nebraska in Week 8 and didn’t play last week.

Rourke has been fantastic for the Hoosiers this season, completing 74.6% of his passes for 1,941 yards and 15 touchdowns compared to just three interceptions. Rourke also boasts two rushing scores this season.

In Indiana’s 31-17 win over Washington on Saturday, Hoosiers backup QB Tayven Jackson completed 1-of-his-19 pass attempts for 124 yards and a touchdown. He also threw an interception. After the game, Cignetti evaluated Jackson’s performance.

“He made some good plays. He left as many plays out there,” Cignetti said. “It’s just doing what you’re coached to do. Reading your key, don’t forget to send the motion, those kind of things.”

In fairness to Jackson, it’s difficult to replace Kurtis Rourke. He already has won the Big Ten Player of the Week Award twice this season and is a legitimate candidate to take home the Big Ten Player of the Year Award. The accolade would just be the latest in his laundry list of achievements.

Rourke arrived in Bloomington this offseason after spending five seasons at Ohio, where he amassed 33 career starts. During his time with the Bobcats, Rourke tallied 61 total touchdowns (50 passing, 11 rushing) and only 16 interceptions. He was the MAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2022.

Rourke’s statistics are far from empty. Under Rourke’s leadership, Indiana is 8-0 for the first time since 1967. If the Hoosiers win on Saturday, they will be the first team in program history to begin a season 9-0.

Rourke will look to lead his team to history on Saturday as the Hoosiers square off against Michigan State at 3:30 p.m. ET. The game will air live on Peacock.