There is ‘continued optimism’ that Indiana football quarterback Kurtis Rourke will play at Michigan State

Indiana football is continuing to dominant each and every opponent as they now sit at 8-0 on the season. Last week, they were able to defeat Washington without their star quarterback, Kurtis Rourke, as he is still recovering from his thumb injury.

According to Pete Thamel of ESPN Rourke underwent surgery on his thumb last week which caused him to be miss the Washington game last Saturday. Tayven Jackson got the nod at Quarterback because of Rourke not being able to play.

On Monday morning, there was a more positive update on Kurtis Rourke, once again being reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

“Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke has continued to throw the past few days, and there’s continued optimism he can play on Saturday against Michigan State,” Thamel wrote. “He’s been dealing with a thumb injury and had surgery last week. IU’s first full practice is Tuesday.”

More: ‘Find ways to win games’: It doesn’t have to be pretty — and Saturday wasn’t — but Indiana football keeps winning and that’s all that matters

Rourke has been a driving force for the Hoosiers this season, throwing for 1,941 yards with 15 touchdowns to just three interceptions. He’s completing 74.6 percent of his pass attempts on the year.

Thamel’s reporting was later confirmed when head coach Curt Cignetti spoke to reporters.

“Optimistic on Kurtis Rourke,” Cignetti said. “He’s thrown the last few days, building up. Workload will increase as the week goes on. That’s all I’m going to say about it.”

Tayven Jackson was under center for Indiana during its 31-17 win over Washington this past weekend. He finished 11-of-19 for 124 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also added one touchdown on the ground as well.

“There was good and bad. He’s got to build on the good and eliminate the bad,” Cignetti said about Jackson. “He’ll have a good film session with Coach Sunseri this evening. Like everybody else, better, worse, never stay the same.”

Indiana football will look to improve to 9-0 on the season as they travel to Michigan State to compete for the Brass Spittoon.

Kickoff is set for 3:30 PM on Peacock.

SEE ALSO: ‘Every week we’re going to win no matter what’: Magical season for Indiana football continues as team defeats Washington, 31-17

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