There were points during the 2024 season when it appeared IU quarterback Kurtis Rourke might be invited to New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony.
But six missed quarters due to injury, and six challenging quarters against Michigan and Ohio State ultimately took him out of that conversation.
Nevertheless, Rourke’s final 2024 regular season numbers were eye-catching. He completed 70.4% of his throws, threw for 2,827 yards, and he had 27 touchdowns to just 4 interceptions while leading IU to an 11-1 season and the College Football Playoff.
It has been one of the best seasons ever by an Indiana quarterback.
And Rourke still received votes for college football’s most prestigious award.
The fifth through 10th spots in the 2024 Heisman balloting were released Friday night (Dec. 13) on The Top 10 Heisman Trophy Finalists Show live on ESPN.
Rourke finished ninth in the final results. He is Indiana’s highest finisher since running back Tevin Coleman finished seventh in 2014, and at least the sixth player to finish in the top-10. Here are IU’s top finishers in the Heisman Trophy voting.
- Bill Hillenbrand — fifth in 1942
- Anthony Thompson — second in 1989
- Vaughn Dunbar — sixth in 1991
- Antwaan Randle El — sixth in 2001
- Tevin Coleman — seventh in 2014
- Kurtis Rourke — ninth in 2024
Despite missing time, Rourke’s yards are the seventh most in a single season by an IU quarterback. If he plays two more games in the CFP and plays well, he could begin threaten Nate Sudfeld’s all-time record of 3,573 set in 2015.
Rourke’s current completion percentage is the all-time single-season record, ahead of Michael Penix’s 68.8% in 2019.
Kellen Lewis set the all-time single season passing touchdown record with 28 in 2007. Rourke sits one behind that mark, tied with Sudfeld at the moment.
The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner will be announced during the televised Heisman Trophy Ceremony that will air Saturday (Dec. 14) at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The four finalists are Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and Miami quarterback Cam Ward.
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