Indiana Quarterback Kurtis Rourke returns from injury, starts at Michigan State

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Coach Curt Cignetti said Thursday on the Inside Indiana Football radio show that quarterback Kurtis Rourke will start Saturday’s game at Michigan State.

Rourke suffered a thumb injury that required surgery, causing him to miss the entire second half against Nebraska and the entire game against Washington. Tayven Jackson started in place of Rourke against Washington, but Rourke will return to action at Spartan Stadium.

“Kurtis Rourke will start and play the game,” Cignetti said Thursday. “He’s been taking more reps every day. He built on Tuesday, on Wednesday and took every rep Wednesday and every rep today and every day he looks sharper and sharper and sharper. He means so much to the team and the offense. So excited about I’m going there, but it’s going to be a football match now.”

Prior to his injury, Rourke was one of the best quarterbacks in the country. He ranks No. 1 overall in ESPN’s adjusted overall quarterback rating at 91.8. The 6-foot-1 senior has completed 135 of 181 passes (74.6%) for 1,941 yards, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions.

Rourke transferred to Indiana this offseason after starting his career at Ohio University, where he was the 2022 MAC Offensive Player of the Year. Cignetti said Rourke’s return has helped Indiana put together a good week of practice.

“I think Kurtis coming back really helped us out and got everyone picked up,” Cignetti said. “Last week I didn’t think we had a great week of practice offensively, more in the skill areas. This week I think it was pretty good. So we had a good day today and we should have a good day.” Tomorrow, get on a plane, fly there and play.”

Kickoff between Indiana and Michigan State is scheduled for 3:30 PM ET on Saturday at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. The match will be broadcast on Peacock.