UCLA sees Kurtis Rourke as the head of the snake for ‘explosive’ Indiana football offense

It’s been just two weeks but the Indiana football offense has showed significant improvement from the past three years in one major aspect — its explosiveness. From week one to two, Indiana’s development was noticeable early and often.

During week one, Indiana’s offense did what it had to. It was simple, effective but lacked the major big time plays. Indiana had just three passing plays that went for 15+ yards as Kurtis Rourke was 3-of-7 on deep passes.

He was just 15-of-24 for 180 yards.

In week two, however, it was a different story. He was 4-of-4 on passes going 15+ yards for a total of 154 yards.

He was 15-of-17 for 268 yards total and led IU to six of its eight deep passes of 15+ yards.

“I think Kurtis had the opportunity to make his drops, make his reads, and deliver the ball, which he didn’t always have that opportunity in the first game,” Curt Cignetti said this week. “I thought our protection, we cleaned that up significantly. If you want a good quarterback, you’ve got to have protection. We separated on the outside, and he delivered the ball, and he played well. Wasn’t perfect, but he played well.”

So, heading into week three, UCLA is looking at Kurtis Rourke as the x-factor to Saturday’s game and the guy who gets IU’s offense going.

“I’d say their quarterback,” UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster said when asked who is the leader of the Indiana offensive attack.

On the season, Rourke has totaled 448 yards with three touchdowns and zero turnovers. He is at 73.2 percent completion for the season as well.

Even better, he’s averaging 10.9 yards per attempt — three yards per attempt more than two of his last three seasons.

“Just a good quarterback,” Foster continued. “He can throw RPOs really well, does a good job at just leading his team. You know, you can kinda tell he’s a mature quarterback. Doesn’t try to put them in bad situations, tries to stay ahead of the sticks, so just a veteran quarterback that plays hard.”

While it is against two lesser opponents, Indiana is ranked seventh in the FBS in yards per game at 557.5. They are also fourth in points per game at 54.

“They’re an explosive team. They play hard. That’s their thing,” Foster said. “Tough guys who are going to play hard, and they’re not a team that’s going to beat themselves.”

In total, 12 different players have caught a pass and IU’s two leading receivers are averaging 25.1 yards per catch (Elijah Sarratt) and 18.6 yards per catch (Omar Cooper).

Six different receivers have caught a pass for at least 15 yards.

Saturday is the first test for Indiana to see just how efficient and explosive Indiana football can be moving forward.

Its clear, however, that maintaining a big play offense is the goal.

SEE ALSO: Indiana football ready for ‘a business trip’ as Curt Cignetti downplays ‘noise and clutter’ of UCLA matchup

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