Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke will start against Michigan State

Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke will return from a thumb injury to face Michigan State on Saturday, coach Curt Cignetti announced on his radio show Thursday night.

Rourke injured his right thumb in a 56-7 win over Nebraska on Oct. 19. He underwent surgery on October 21 and was sidelined in last weekend's 31-17 win over Washington.

Indiana had expected Rourke to return this week. Cignetti said Monday that he was “optimistic” that Rourke would be able to play this week and that he had started throwing in practice.

Rourke has completed 74.6% of his passes for 1,941 yards and 15 touchdowns with just three interceptions this season.

The 13th-ranked Hoosiers could reach 9-0 for the first time by beating the Spartans (4-4, 2-3) and securing the Old Brass Spittoon.