It has been a whirlwind of a past three years for Kurtis Rourke. From MAC Offensive Player of the Year, to season-ending injury, to the transfer portal. Now, he’s playing in the College Football Playoff for a team he never expected to suit up for — Indiana.
Rourke’s transfer to Indiana almost didn’t happen, however. The historic season that has come to be, may not have been if Rourke had decided to hang up his cleats, or turn pro following his final year at Ohio. Instead, he decided to take a leap of faith and bet on himself for one final season in college.
“Going back to a year ago and deciding to see what was out there in the transfer portal and then deciding if I wanted to do that or go to the draft and kind of just bet on myself in that way,” Rourke said this week. “Looking back, I’m glad I made the decision to come here.”
2,827 yards, 27 touchdowns and a top-10 finish in the Heisman Trophy voting later, Rourke’s decision to bet on himself paid off in a major way.
Trending: Curt Cignetti on Indiana football — ‘This is home, right here baby. This is where it ends for me. We are just getting started’
Rourke’s season was one of the best in IU history, and around the country. He led the nation in passing efficiency (181.4) and led the Big Ten in passing touchdowns (27) and fewest interceptions (4). The three-time Offensive Player of the Week in the league, Rourke became the first Big Ten quarterback since 2000 to throw for 250 yards and at least three touchdowns in the first three conference road games.
“It just showed me and put into perspective how amazing God is and that His plan always turns out for good in the end, no matter what it is,” Rourke added. “So just trusting Him no matter what, and that whatever happens this week, that, you know, I gave it my all and I play for His glory and all and just be grateful that I’m able to be playing a sixth year at Indiana against Notre Dame.
“Yeah, just very grateful.”
Kurtis Rourke has always been a quarterback with compelling skills. But, a torn ACL two years ago had people forgetting about the type of player he could be.
When his name hit the portal, Curt Cignetti knew he was a guy that he needed. He knew, paired with his system and quarterback coach Tino Sunseri, they would be able to take Rourke’s MAC Offensive Player of the Year season and develop him even more.
“Researched him, liked him on tape. This was a great opportunity for him based on our track record with quarterbacks and the guys we were adding to the portal,” Cignetti said. “And obviously he has thrived.”
So as Kurtis Rourke’s season — and career — now has a clearer ending, he’s nowhere near ready for this ride, and this year, to finish up.
“I really have cherished this year, cherished all my years in college,” Rourke said. “Just knowing this could be the last possible college game definitely comes to my mind but also I’m taking it as a positive and motivating, that it’s one more chance to have a great opportunity to play with the guys and this team that’s been so successful.
“Just really using it to motivate me even more than I already have to go out there, have fun, enjoy it. We’ll talk about my last college game in four games.”
Four games from now? Yes — a National Championship for Indiana.
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