Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke underwent successful thumb surgery after breaking the finger over the weekend, according to a report by ESPN's Pete Thamel on Tuesday.
Thamel added that the team is optimistic he'll be recovered in time to start on Nov. 2 against rival Michigan State.
The Canadian injured the thumb on his throwing hand during Saturday's 56-7 win over Nebraska.
Rourke was on the sidelines in street clothes in the second half after throwing for 189 yards on 17-of-21 passing with one touchdown and one interception. Tayven Jackson replaced him for the rest of the game.
“A little thumb thing, I feel good about it, I really do,” Indiana coach Curt Cignetti told reporters after the game about Rourke's injury, calling the move to pull the QB "precautionary.”
Rourke, a sixth-year senior transfer from Ohio, has emerged as a Heisman Trophy contender while guiding the Hoosiers to their best start since 1967.
The Hoosiers (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) have yet to trail this season and each victory has been by double digits. The 49-point margin of victory was the biggest in conference play since a 49-0 win at Minnesota in 1945. The last time Indiana started with seven consecutive wins was 1967, when it opened 8-0.
Rourke is the brother of CFL quarterback Nathan Rourke, who plays for the B.C. Lions.
--With files from the Associated Press
