Cignetti Discusses Kurtis Rourke, Previews Michigan State

Source: Indiana Football

BLOOMINGTON, Ind.–The 8-0 and 13th ranked Indiana Hoosier football team is getting ready to face the 4-4 Michigan State Spartans this Saturday.

Backup quarterback Tayven Jackson led Indiana to victory over Washington by completing 11 of 19 passes for 124 yards with a touchdown and one interception. He filled in for the normal starter, Kurtis Rourke. Rourke had missed the Washington game because of an injury to his thumb.

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“I’m optimistic about him. He’s been throwing the last few days. Workload will increase as the week goes on. That’s all I’m going to say about it,” said Indiana Hoosier Head Football Coach Curt Cignetti in a Monday afternoon press conference.

When discussing Michigan State, Cignetti called them a good football team.

“Very talented offensively in the skilled areas. Got a very athletic quarterback. Run it, throw it. Really nice receiving crew. The freshman has made a lot of big plays. Tight ends, backs are good. Like what they do on offense. They run the ball at you outside zone, can go downhill, good play-action game, out-of-pocket, some gizmos. Defensively very aggressive, giving up 21 a game. Physical team. Good punter, good kicker. Played a tough schedule. Been in a lot of close games. It will be a big challenge,” said Cignetti.

Cignetti was asked about how he has been able to keep his team disciplined.

“I mean, you get what you demand. We run a pretty structured, organized, disciplined program. We’ve got a lot of character on this football team. We’ve had some success, so they’re listening pretty good. We’ve always been really good in the turnover ratio. I think we’re plus-eight right now. The last four or five years have been really low on penalties. Those are going down, as well. Again, there are things we emphasize. It’s all part of being successful on the football field. The guys by into it. They have to buy into it,” said Cignetti.

The Hoosiers have also not allowed a point in the first quarter of any game this year.

“Yeah, well, I think we’re executing well to start the game. We got a lot of experienced, confident players. They’re making plays early, so in the fourth quarter, we’ve been strong. Probably credit to a lot of things. Our strength and conditioning program has to play a role in that, I think. I think a lot of times we just built that momentum because we’ve been scoring and kind of distancing ourselves from whoever it is we’re playing and sort of have the momentum at that point,” said Cignetti.

Hoosier cornerback D’Angelo Ponds was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week. He returned an interception for a touchdown against Washington on Saturday. He had another interception in the first half.

Indiana’s game against Michigan State kicks off Saturday November 2 at 3:30 pm.

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