‘He’s got an opportunity. He’s got to take it and run with it.’: All eyes on Tayven Jackson as Indiana football has ‘100 percent confidence’ with him under center

Indiana football was cruising through the season without many — if any — speed bumps. But following Saturday’s win over Nebraska, news came out regarding the first major injury of the season for the Hoosiers.

When quarterback Kurtis Rourke came out after halftime in street clothes, there was concern. When it was announced after the game that the IU signal caller had a thumb injury, there was more concern. But, that concern hit another level when the program announced that Rourke would be ‘out indefinitely’. The now 7-0 Hoosiers head into the back half of their schedule as the No. 13 overall team and a program that has a very legitimate shot of making the College Football Playoff.

But now they have to do so without one of the most effective quarterbacks in the country — at least for now.

Enter Tayven Jackson. Jackson, a former four-star recruit, transferred to Indiana last offseason and quickly became the starter for Tom Allen. After multiple different offensive coordinators and a season that quickly went downhill, he was benched and didn’t see the field the remainder of the season.

Now it’s time for redemption for the local native. And he has the full support from his staff, and teammates.

“We have 100% confidence and the team has 100% confidence, I have confidence, the staff has confidence in Tayven Jackson,” Curt Cignetti said on Monday. “I thought he played really well in the second half.

“I thought he came in, did a nice job in the second half. Now he’ll get more repetitions, which will help him prepare for the game on Saturday. He’s a guy that’s extremely capable, extremely capable. I’m sure he’ll rise to the occasion.”

Jackson entered after halftime and led Indiana to a 28-0 second half, helping lead Indiana to a 56-7 win over the Huskers. While he didn’t need to ‘win’ the game by any means, he was efficient and effective — something he’s been all year when he’s seen snaps.

Jackson was 7-of-8 for 91 yards with two touchdowns. On the season, the redshirt sophomore has thrown for 225 yards with three touchdowns and zero turnovers — while completing 66.7 percent of his passes.

“We always talk about the next man up. Everybody’s here for a reason, right,” Cignetti said. “In this sport, you’re going to have injuries at every single position. It’s a lot different when you’re the starter, right? I’m sure he was excited about it. The team rallied around him at halftime. We outscored them 28-0 in the second half.”

In 2023, Jackson threw for 914 yards with two touchdowns and five interceptions in six games — and five starts.

But, it’s a different system, different coaching staff and vastly different roster around him.

“Well, I think you see it during the games when he gets his opportunity, how he’s responded, how he responded on Saturday,” Cignetti continued. “He’s a year older. It’s a different offense. It’s a different system. Tino does a great job of developing the quarterbacks.”

While it is a lot of ‘different’, it will still be a massive change for an Indiana football team that was clicking on all cylinders this season. Indiana ranks 5th in the country in total yards per game (521.7) and 11th in passing yards per game (310.3). But, nothing shows the cohesiveness of the offense more than being ranks 1st in the nation in points per game at 48.7. That’s thanks to 1,941 yards, 15 touchdowns and a 74.6 completion percentage from Kurtis Rourke.

But, what will be different and how much will change? That’s still up in the air.

“I saw the guy that went in was 8-9, threw two touchdown passes. If I was going off that small sample, I would say they don’t have to do too much different. I would guess they’ll make some adjustments.,” Washington head coach Jed Fisch said of Jackson. ” … We’re going to have to see what they’re going to do on offense. They will probably have some change but they certainly didn’t have to make any big changes in that game and they were able to continue running the offense that they have done extremely well with.”

Indiana football will be hosting ESPN’s College GameDay on Saturday. It’ll be the second-straight sellout crowd. It’ll also be an extremely critical game to keep the momentum from the first eight weeks.

While Tayven Jackson hasn’t had the bright lights on him this year, the support is there. The system is in place. And, most importantly — he’s got the talent, himself, to keep leading Indiana to one of the best seasons in program history.

“He’s got excellent potential. He’s gotten better,” Cignetti said. “Now he’s got an opportunity. He’s got to take it and run with it.”

SEE ALSO: Another week. Another dominant win. And Indiana football is ‘not surprised at all’ regardless of the national perspective or any doubters that remain

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