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BLOOMINGTON — IU football coach Curt Cignetti announced on his weekly coaches radio show Thursday night Kurtis Rourke will get the starting nod at quarterback against Michigan State.
Cignetti started the week by saying he was “optimistic” about Rourke’s status for Saturday’s game. Rourke underwent surgery the previous week on the broken thumbnail he suffered on his right hand in a 56-7 win over Nebraska.
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Per a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Rourke had a pair of screws inserted at the top of his thumb. Rourke sat out against Washington, but he was already back throwing in the days leading up to the game.
The No. 13 Hoosiers (8-0; 5-0) coaching staff increased Rourke’s workload throughout the week.
“I think Kurtis coming back gave everybody a shot in the arm and picked everybody up,” Cignetti said Thursday night.
The Ohio transfer has 1,941 passing yards (74.6%) with 15 touchdowns and just three interceptions in seven starts this season. This week he was one of 35 players named to the Davey O’Brien Class of 2024 and was named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Top 10.
Cignetti acknowledged the team’s passing offense wasn’t as effective with Tayven Jackson getting the starting nod in Rourke’s place. Jackson threw for 124 yards (11-of-19) with a touchdown and interception. The Hoosiers closed out the game by running the ball 35 times in the second half while attempting only five passes.
“The numbers speak for themselves,” Cignetti said.
Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Kurtis…
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Author : IndyStar | The Indianapolis Star
Publish date : 2024-10-31 23:51:42
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