Kurtis Rourke, a Canadian quarterback from Oakville, Ontario, has been instrumental in transforming the Indiana Hoosiers into a formidable contender in the College Football Playoff (CFP). After transferring from Ohio University, where he spent five years and started for three, Rourke joined Indiana in December 2023 to enhance his NFL prospects.
Under Rourke’s leadership, the Hoosiers achieved a remarkable turnaround, improving from a 3-9 record to an 11-1 season, culminating in a CFP berth. His impressive statistics include passing for 2,827 yards with 27 touchdowns against just four interceptions, earning him second-team All-Big Ten honors.
Rourke’s performance has garnered significant attention, leading all CFP starting quarterbacks (with a minimum of 120 dropbacks) in several key metrics:
Yards per attempt: 9.8
NFL passer rating: 126.9
Pro Football Focus (PFF) offensive grade: 91.0
PFF passing grade: 91.8
His success has not only elevated Indiana’s status but has also brought pride to Canadian football fans, earning the Hoosiers the moniker “the CFP team of Canada.” Rourke’s journey from a Canadian underdog to a pivotal player in American college football underscores his determination and skill.
As Indiana prepares to face Notre Dame in the CFP opener, Rourke is set to encounter the most significant challenge of his collegiate career. His performance in this high-stakes environment will be closely watched by both American and Canadian audiences, eager to see if he can continue his impressive trajectory and lead the Hoosiers to further success.