The Indiana Hoosiers are off to one of the best starts in school history, going 8-0 to open the season and check in at No. 13 in the AP Poll.
As the Hoosiers set their sights on the Michigan State Spartans with the hopes of improving to 9-0, they’re going to be getting a major player back in the fold.
Quarterback Kurtis Rourke will officially return and be under center for the Hoosiers on Saturday, head coach Curt Cignetti announced Thursday night on his weekly radio show.
Rourke suffered a thumb injury in Indiana’s 56-7 win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers on October 19. He underwent surgery on the injury early the next week and initially, there was optimism that he would return for last week’s 31-17 win over the Washington Huskies.
He was unable to return for the Washington game, as backup quarterback Tayven Jackson went 11-for-19 for 124 yards and a touchdown to go with an interception. Jackson added a rushing touchdown, as well.
Rourke has been a huge part of Indiana’s success. He’s 135-for-181 for 1,941 passing yards. His 15 touchdown passes are fourth-most in the conference, and Rourke’s three interceptions puts him in a tie with Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer for fewest in the conference among players with 150 pass attempts or more.
Indiana and Michigan State will kickoff Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET and air exclusively on Peacock.
[ESPN]
