Nebraska football puts damper on Indiana season despite embarrassing loss

The Nebraska football team has to go back to the drawing board after the worst loss of the Matt Rhule era. The 56-7 stomping by the Indiana Hoosiers is one of those games that will have NU fans doubting the program's direction in earnest for the first time since Rhule arrived in Lincoln.

The loss put a damper on the Huskers’ season. But as it turns out, NU put a damper on Indiana’s season as well.

On Sunday morning, IndyStar reporter Zach Osterman reported that an injury that Kurtis Rourke suffered in the game against Nebraska football will at least have him miss the Hoosiers’ next game. It’s not clear how many he might miss after that.

Nebraska football gives Indiana a parting gift

Rourke hurt his hand in the first half of the game against the Huskers. However, he still completed 17 of 21 passes for 189 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. When he left, IU had the edge it needed to forge the win.

Indiana has a big game coming up. Especially since IU will almost certainly be well inside the rankings needed to get a playoff spot. But there’s an open question as to whether or not they can beat Washington without Rourke.

Of course, the Hoosiers might still be confident in their ability to beat all comers. After all, when Rourke had to leave the game, his backup, Tayven Jackson completed 7 of 8 passes for 91 yards and 2 touchdowns. 

It’s possible Nebraska football put Indiana’s season in jeopardy. Or the Hoosiers will show the buy-in for Curt Cignetti is total on that roster.