Indiana officially announced on Sunday afternoon that redshirt senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke will be out indefinitely with a right thumb injury. The quarterback’s nail flew off his throwing hand on a Nebraska helmet late in the second quarter on a roughing the passer call.
“I know people are going to ask me about Kurtis Rourke,” said Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti to open his press conference following Indiana’s 56-7 win over the Cornhuskers. “Thought he played really well in the first half. He had a thumb on a helmet, nail kind of came off.”
While Cignetti said he was optimistic about the injury, the Heisman Trophy candidate is expected to miss next week versus Washington - a game that has increased expectation with ESPN’s College Gameday coming to Bloomington. Rourke’s time table is “indefinite,” but there’s hope that he returns by Week 10 when Indiana heads to East Lansing for the Old Brass Spittoon Game at Michigan State on Nov. 2.
With Rourke out, redshirt sophomore Tayven Jackson returns as a starting QB in Cream and Crimson after five starts last season. Jackson was 2-3 in those five starts, losing all three to Big Ten opponents (Ohio St, Maryland, Michigan).
In Rourke’s absence on Saturday, Jackson went 7-of-8 for 91 yards and two passing TDs with two rushes for 21 yards in two quarters of play. Jackson’s day was highlighted by a 15-yard TD throw to wide receiver Elijah Sarratt that was placed perfectly over Sarratt’s shoulder for him to make the toe-tap grab in the end zone.
Jackson made quick and decisive reads on all eight of his passing attempts. He showed a clear sign of growth throwing with confidence and precision against a top-10 Nebraska defense.
And yes. The starting Nebraska defense was still on the field at that point.
Cignetti had praise for the redshirt sophomore backup QB after his latest outing.
“I thought he went in there and did a good job,” Cignetti said postgame. “I had confidence, team had confidence.”
“If anybody goes down, we have to be ready for someone else to step in and make those plays,” senior wide receiver Miles Cross said postgame.
Jackson will lead the Hoosiers in their next game at home against Washington on Oct. 26th at Noon on Big Ten Network.
