Hoosier's “optimistic” Kurtis Rourke (thumbs up) will be fine

Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke left No. 1's 56-7 win on Saturday. 16 Hoosiers suffered a throwing hand injury against Nebraska and did not play in the second half.

Rourke injured his right thumb when he was hit attempting a pass in the second quarter. He stayed in the game, throwing for 189 yards on 17 of 21 passes with a touchdown and an interception while leading the Hoosiers to a 28-7 halftime lead.

Rourke stood on the sideline in street clothes during the second half, which Indiana coach Curt Cignetti called a precautionary measure.

“He hit a helmet with his thumb, I think, and his fingernail fell off,” Cignetti said. “We will know more tomorrow, but optimistically.”

Backup Tayven Jackson, who started five games for Indiana in 2023, replaced Rourke in the second half and threw for 91 yards and two touchdowns on 7-of-8 passing while leading four touchdown drives.

“I thought he went in there and did a good job,” Cignetti said. “The team had confidence and I was proud of him.”

Rourke, a sixth-year senior transfer from Ohio, has emerged as a Heisman Trophy contender, leading the Hoosiers to their first 7-0 start since 1967. He was ranked No. 1 nationally in passer rating (192.11) and No. 3 in QBR (91.9) entering Saturday.

The Hoosiers offense had another dominant day despite his injury. She rushed for 495 yards and struck out just once against a Nebraska defense that ranked seventh in the FBS in scoring defense. Judge Ellison rushed for 105 yards and two scores, and Indiana's defense intercepted Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola three times in the 49-point loss.

“I think that says a lot about our team,” Cignetti said. “Now I know there was a perception nationally that Nebraska has a pretty solid defense nationally, so that will open their eyes. But I think this is a great team win.”

Indiana faces Washington (4-3) at home next Saturday and is closing in on the program's first Associated Press top-10 ranking since 2020.