Indiana starting QB (Week 9): Who will replace Kurtis Rourke in game against Washington? 

The loss of quarterback Kurtis Rourke to a thumb injury dampened the mood after the Indiana Hoosiers' 56-7 win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Week 8 of college football action. The win improved the Hoosiers to 7-0 and bumped them up to No. 13 in the AP Top 25 Weekly Poll.

On Tuesday, ESPN analyst Pete Thamel shared on X that Rourke had had surgery on his thumb on Monday and would miss the Hoosiers Week 9 clash against the Washington Huskies.

“Sources: Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke’s injured thumb is improving enough where he could be back for Michigan State on Nov. 2. He’s still doubtful for Saturday against Washington, but there’s more optimism about the immediate future,” Thamel posted on X.

“That helped provide some clarity on a potential return, including optimism that he could be back for Indiana’s game at Michigan State on Nov. 2.”

Backup quarterback Tayven Jackson will step into the breach vacated by Kurtis Rourke. Jackson replaced the QB1 at halftime for the Indiana Hoosiers' win against the Cornhuskers and according to coach Curt Cignetti during his weekly news conference, he will deputize for Rourke.

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Can Kurtis Rourke be replaced by Tayvin Jackson?

When Tayven Jackson replaced Kurtis Rourke in the second half of the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, he made his mark by going 7-of-8 for 91 yards resulting in two touchdowns.

During his weekly news conference, Indiana coach Curt Cignetti expressed his confidence in Jackson, adequately replacing Rourke.

“I thought he (Jackson) came in, did a nice job in the second half,” Cignetti said. “Now, he’ll get more repetitions, which will help him prepare for the game on Saturday. He’s a guy that’s extremely capable. Extremely capable. I’m sure he’ll rise to the occasion."

Last season, Jackson battled with Brendan Sorsby tallying 914 yards resulting in two touchdowns and five interceptions which has spiked the coach's confidence in him.

“We always talk about the next man up. Everybody’s here for a reason,” Cignetti said. “You see it during the games when he gets his opportunity, how he's responded, how he responded on Saturday. He's a year older. It's a different offense. It's a different system. Tino does a great job of developing the quarterbacks."

“(Jackson's) got excellent potential. He's gotten better. Now he's got an opportunity. He's got to take it and run with it.”

While it might be hard to replicate the output of the sixth-year Kurtis Rourke who has registered 1,941 yards resulting in 15 touchdowns and three interceptions this season, Tayven Jackson has shown that he can more than hold his own having tallied 225 yards on 66.7% completion resulting in three touchdowns.