The Hoosiers’ staff is optimistic about his status.
Indiana football defeated Nebraska 56-7 on Saturday, but lost starting quarterback Kurtis Rourke to injury after the first half of play.
Rourke went over to the sideline late in the second quarter with blood on his hand and re-entered the game with a bandage. He threw just a few passes on the next drive and didn’t join the team coming out of the tunnel after halftime.
He was later spotted out of his uniform and in street clothes on the Hoosiers’ sideline by Zach Osterman of Indianapolis Star:
The sling might have been overstatement so trying this again. Anyway, Rourke is no longer dressed. Which for the purposes of this game probably doesn’t matter. #iufb pic.twitter.com/gBo0XSQTj4
— Zach Osterman (@ZachOsterman) October 19, 2024
Rourke was replaced by redshirt sophomore Tayven Jackson, who completed seven of his eight passing attempts for 91 yards and 2 touchdowns to help close out the win over the Huskers.
Once the game was over, Jackson threw his arm around Rourke and led him to the student section for postgame celebrations.
In his postgame press conference, head coach Curt Cignetti said Rourke hit his thumb on a helmet:
“I know people are going to ask me about Kurtis Rourke,” Cignetti said. “Thought he played really well in the first half. He had a thumb on a helmet, nail kind of came off. We’ll know more tomorrow. But optimistic.”
Indiana welcomes Washington to Memorial Stadium at noon next Saturday.