IU quarterback Kurtis Rourke to return against Michigan State

Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke is set to return on Saturday against Michigan State, head coach Curt Cignetti announced on his radio show on Thursday.

Rourke left Indiana’s win over Nebraska at the end of the first half with a right thumb injury. He missed the second half of that game, as well as last week’s victory over Washington while recovering. The sixth-year senior underwent surgery after the Nebraska game and had two screws placed in his thumb, and he resumed throwing on Friday.

“Kurtis Rourke will start and play the game. He has taken more reps every day. He built on Tuesday and Wednesday, took every rep on Wednesday, every rep today,” Cignetti said on Thursday. “Every day, he looks sharper and sharper and sharper. He means so much to the team and the offense.”

Redshirt sophomore Tayven Jackson stepped in for the second half against Nebraska and the entire game against Washington. Jackson entered with a 28-7 lead against the Cornhuskers, but guided IU to 28 more points in the third and fourth quarters. And he helped lead the Hoosiers to a 31-17 win over the Huskies last week. Jackson, in total between the two games, completed 18 of 27 pass attempts for 215 yards with one touchdown and one interception, and he’s rushed for 38 yards on eight carries with a touchdown.

Rourke has thrust himself into Heisman contention with his strong play so far this year. The Canadian owns a 74.6 completion percentage on the season (second in the Big Ten) for 1,941 yards with 15 touchdowns and three interceptions.

IU kicks off against Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich. at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. The game will air on Peacock.