Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Indiana Hoosiers run to the College Football Playoff became more impressive with latest injury news

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Tyler Forness | Last updated Jan 3, 2025 2:58 PM ET

The Indiana Hoosiers had one of the most impressive college football seasons in recent memory.

Coming from the doldrums of the Big Ten to win 11 games for the first time in program history and within inches of making the Big Ten Championship Game. They made the College Football Playoff as the 10 seed and lost in the first round 27-17 to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Their two losses are arguably to the two best teams in college football.

There was way too much discussion about how Indiana "didn't deserve" to be in the College Football Playoff instead of celebrating how great the season was. On Friday, their 11 wins got even more impressive.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke is believed to have re-torn his ACL in August, yet played the entire season.

Indiana star QB Kurtis Rourke, a 2025 NFL Draft prospect, will undergo ACL revision surgery Wednesday, per his agent Casey Muir at @octagonfootball.

Rourke is believed to have re-torn his ACL in August — yet amazingly played and led the Hoosiers to the playoff. One tough dude. pic.twitter.com/0bZze2ZMrC
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 3, 2025

That's an impressive feat for Rourke. Playing on a torn ACL is bonkers and rarely done. Robert Marve did so for Purdue, and Phillip Rivers did so in the 2007 AFC Championship Game for the San Diego Chargers against the New England Patriots.

The fact that Rourke led one of the nation's most explosive offenses along with leading a team with nearly 60 new players to the College Football Playoff is one of the more impressive performances of all-time.

It shouldn't have taken this long, but it's time for everyone to give Rourke and Indiana the flowers they deserve.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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