Indiana quarterback Curtis Rauer will return from a thumb injury and start Saturday against Michigan State, coach Curt Cignetti announced on his radio show Thursday night.
Rourke injured his right thumb on Oct. 19 in a 56-7 win over Nebraska. He underwent surgery on Oct. 21 and sat out last weekend’s 31-17 win over Washington.
Indiana was expecting Rourke to return this week. Cignetti said Monday that he is “optimistic” Rourke can play this week and that he has started throwing in practice.
Rourke has completed 74.6% of his passes this season for 1,941 yards and 15 touchdowns to just three interceptions.
The 13th-ranked Hoosiers beat the Spartans (4-4, 2-3) and claimed the Old Brass Spitoon to reach 9-0 for the first time.
