Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Kurtis Rourke will be sidelined indefinitely due to a right thumb injury, as confirmed by the team on Sunday.
The injury occurred in the first half of Saturday’s dominant 56-7 victory against Nebraska, when Rourke’s hand collided with the helmet of a Cornhuskers defender.
Ranked No. 13, Indiana (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) is set to face Washington (4-3, 2-2) next weekend. The team aims to maintain its lead in the Big Ten standings while seeking to match the school’s best-ever start at 8-0.
In Rourke’s absence, third-year quarterback Tayven Jackson will take the reins. Jackson, who joined the Hoosiers from Tennessee before the current season, showcased his skills in the second half on Saturday, completing 7 of 8 passes for 91 yards and two touchdowns, following a 28-7 halftime lead. His return to Indiana has made him a fan favorite, especially as he is the brother of former Indiana basketball star Trayce Jackson-Davis, an All-American.
Before his injury, Rourke was tied for the Big Ten lead with 15 touchdown passes and had thrown for 1,941 yards. With a completion rate of 74.6%, he ranked second in the conference and was honored as the Big Ten’s offensive player of the week on two occasions this season.
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Rourke’s journey has not been without its challenges; he previously endured a season-ending knee injury in 2022, which continued to affect him during his last year at Ohio University. Despite these setbacks, he was named the 2022 Mid-American Conference MVP.
