Kurtis Rourke has ‘separated himself pretty significantly’ in Indiana football QB battle

While Indiana football head coach Curt Cignetti has not officially named a starting quarterback for the season-opener, it’s pretty clear who will be under center.

On Monday, Cignetti continued to praise transfer QB Kurtis Rourke — giving even more insight into his expected decision come August 31.

“I thought Rourke had a good day,” Cignetti said. “Really sort of separated himself pretty significantly in that scrimmage (over the weekend).”

Rourke — who came to Indiana after a successful career with Ohio — has 33 starts under his belt in his collegiate career and has thrown for 7,651 yards and 50 touchdowns.

His production easily caught the eyes of Cignetti and the rest of his Indiana football staff — a group that has had a great deal of success through their tenure together.

Under the tutelage of Cignetti, offensive coordinate Mike Shanahan and quarterbacks coach Tino Sunseri, that trio has been able to develop numerous All-Conference players at the quarterback position. That has also coincided with numerous Player of the Year’s.

And, it’s Rourke’s consistency that stands out.

“Rourke stacks days,” Cignetti said. “He had an off day or two last week. Or maybe he wasn’t real good in seven on seven, came back and had a really good two-minute drill. Something like that. But for the most part, he’s been playing good football now.

“Always room for improvement for anybody on this football team … But (he’s) consistent and knows how to play quarterback. A lot goes into that position. He’s an extension of a coach and he’s got to make good decisions, choices and decisions that are going to lead to giving you the best chance of success as a football team.“

Cignetti said earlier this fall that he ‘sleeps better’ knowing Rourke is under center. That sentiment hasn’t changed, and if anything, has just gotten stronger.

“Sometimes it might not be making a spectacular play,” Cignetti added. “Might be getting back to a normal down and distance situation. But, it also highly involves processing information, finding the open guy and getting them involved. So, nothing’s really changed in terms there in how I feel (about the position) coming out of the spring.”

SEE ALSO: Curt Cignetti’s first year with Indiana football ‘feels like a bit of a question mark’ but one thing is for sure, ‘it’s going to be entertaining’

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