Indiana is optimistic about quarterback Kurtis Rourke’s progress as he recovers from a thumb injury that required surgery last week, coach Curt Cignetti told reporters Monday.

Cignetti said the redshirt senior has been “throwing the past few days.”

The 13th-ranked and unbeaten Hoosiers (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) are hopeful that Rourke can return to play at Michigan State on Saturday, ESPN reported Monday.

Rourke was injured in the second quarter of a 56-7 rout of Nebraska on Oct. 19, when his throwing hand struck the helmet of a Cornhuskers player. He did not return to the game, with Tayven Jackson taking over and finishing the blowout victory.

Jackson again took Rourke’s place in Saturday’s 31-17 win over Washington, going 11 for 19 for 124 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Rourke is in his first season at Indiana after starting the previous three years at Ohio. He has completed 74.6 percent of his passes for 1,941 yards with 15 touchdowns and three interceptions in seven starts for the Hoosiers and is considered a candidate for the Heisman Trophy.

–Field Level Media