Rourke Prevails Against Early Setbacks to Lead Indiana to 5-0

Written By Nick Gonzales (@nrgonzales_)

The way Indiana’s offense started the game was not what you wanted to see as a Hoosiers fan. Kurtis Rourke threw two back-to-back interceptions on their first two drives and things weren’t looking the best for Rourke and the offense. However, the Hoosiers maintained their composure and got the job done in a 42-28 victory over the Maryland Terrapins.

Indiana had gone their first four games this season without turning the ball over, but that wasn’t the case in Saturday’s game against Maryland. Indiana’s offense had four turnovers, three of them coming from quarterback Kurtis Rourke (two interceptions and one fumble). The weather wasn’t the best in Bloomington during the game, but the mistakes cannot be solely blamed on the weather. This is the first time this season that the Hoosiers didn’t score in all four quarters, with 0 points scored in the first quarter. With the struggles on offense being quite apparent in the first quarter, Rourke didn’t let that get to him.

“He responded like I kind of felt like he would. I didn’t think he’d be flustered by the two interceptions, and he wasn’t.” Curt Cignetti said about Rourke bouncing back from his two interceptions.

In Rourke’s first two drives he went 2/5 for 27 yards and two interceptions. While this performance so early on can affect how a team plays for the remainder of the game, the seasoned vet that Rourke is allowed him to bounce back from his mistakes. A little adversity wasn’t going to stand in his way, and he ended the game against Maryland going 22/33 for 359 yards and 3 touchdowns.

“It’s just about trying to flush right away and not even really think about it. You just have to move on. Even when you have a good play, you have to reset and be emotionally stable so that you can move forward, whether that’s good or bad. That’s what I try to do.” Kurtis Rourke responded about shaking off the early interceptions in a postgame interview.

Rourke has shown time and time again that he has what it takes to successfully lead Indiana’s offense. With how talented his ball placement has been, he needs talented receivers to go up and catch those balls such as Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. did.

“It’s awesome. Those guys are great weapons to have, and I love the odds every time I throw a ball in their area. I just have to make sure they can get their hands on it so they can make plays like they did today.” Rourke replied when asked about being surrounded by IU’s talented wide receiver core.

Sarratt looked excellent in today’s win over the Terrapins recording 7 receptions for 128 yards and a touchdown. Every play Sarratt got the ball, Rourke put him in a position to shift defenders. When that didn’t work, Sarratt would fight for as many yards as he could get after contact. Most of Indiana’s wide receivers really stood out in today’s matchup with Omar Cooper Jr. showing off his skills to high point the ball. Coop had 4 receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown against the Terrapins off of a perfectly placed pass that Cooper jumped to catch over the defender, falling back in the endzone for the score.

Indiana’s offense has evolved so much since their first game against FIU. When the defense would allow Maryland to score off big plays, Rourke responded by leading the offense to score. They were never trailing against Maryland but were tied four different times throughout the game. Within the first five weeks, Indiana has shown their dominance and legitimacy to compete in a tough conference like the Big Ten.

“We’re 5-0, and in 57 years – I’m older than that, by the way. But this isn’t the end for us. I’m proud of the team and everything they’ve accomplished.” Curt Cignetti stated during his postgame press conference.

The Hoosiers are 5-0 for the first time since 1967 and while that is an amazing accomplishment for the program, they aren’t done yet. It was a great game to watch, and they performed well but are still not satisfied and are hungry for more. In the coming weeks, Cignetti and the Hoosiers will strive for greatness and continue on their path of being the best while wiping the floor with their opponents.