BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Coach Curt Cignetti said on his Inside Indiana Football radio show on Thursday that quarterback Kurtis Rourke will start Saturday’s game at Michigan State.

Rourke suffered a thumb injury that required surgery, causing him to miss the entire second half against Nebraska and the entire game against Washington. Tayven Jackson started in Rourke’s place against Washington, but Rourke will return to Spartan Stadium.

“Kurtis Rourke will start and play the game,” Cignetti said Thursday. “He’s gotten more reps every day. He’s improved Tuesday, Wednesday, and he’s taken every rep every Wednesday and every rep today, and he’s looking sharper and sharper and sharper every day. It means a lot to the team and the offense. I’m very excited about it going in there.” But now it will be a football match.”

Before his injury, Rourke was one of the best point guards in the country. He ranks No. 1 overall in ESPN’s adjusted total quarterback rating at 91.8. He completed 135-of-135 passes (74.6%) for 1,941 yards, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions.

After starting his career at Ohio University, Rourke transferred to Indiana this summer, where he was the 2022 MAC Offensive Player of the Year. Cignetti said Rourke’s return helped Indiana get a good week of practice.

“I think Kurtis coming back really gave us a chance and got everyone on their feet,” Cignetti said. “Last week we didn’t have a great week offensively, we practiced more in the skill areas. This week I thought was pretty good. So we had a good day today and we need to have a good day. Get on the plane tomorrow, fly out there and play.”

Kickoff between Indiana and Michigan State is scheduled for Saturday at 3:30 PM ET at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. The game will be broadcast on Peacock.