Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
The Indiana football program announced on Sunday that quarterback Kurtis Rourke is out indefinitely with a thumb injury. The following is the release:
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana football program announced on Sunday (Oct. 20) that redshirt senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke will be out an indefinite period of time with a thumb injury but is expected to return in 2024.
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Rourke has played at a Heisman Trophy candidate level for the Hoosiers this year. In seven games he has thrown for 1,941 yards and 15 touchdowns to just three interceptions. Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti discussed Rourke’s injury after the game Saturday.
“He had a thumb on a helmet, nail kind of came off.” Cignetti said before anyone could ask. He did add he felt confident about the injury as well.
This puts the starting quarterback job into the hands of Tayven Jackson, a former four-star recruit who transferred in last year from Tennessee. Jackson played well in relief against Nebraska. Jackson completed 7-of-8 passes for 91 yards and two touchdowns while running for 21 yards. He looked in control of the offense and the scheme really didn’t change.
“I thought (Tayven Jackson) played well his first opportunity at home. Second opportunity at home okay. Guy still has to practice better. It’s hard to be the second-string quarterback because you don’t get many reps. We put a lot of new stuff in in the pass game week-to-week. You look at the variables in terms of their coverages and defenses, right? But I thought he went in there and did a good job. I had confidence. Team had confidence. I was proud of him.” Cignetti said of Jackson after the game.
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An official availability report is released two hours prior to kickoff time by each Big Ten team. IU fans are sure to be glued to that next Saturday.