Hoosiers Now

WATCH: Rourke Hits Horton For First Touchdown of 2024 Indiana Football Season

The Ohio transfer found the James Madison transfer open in the end zone for the first touchdown of the Curt Cignetti era.

Jack Ankony

Indiana tight end Zach Horton (44) catches a pass during the spring game at Memorial Stadium.
Indiana tight end Zach Horton (44) catches a pass during the spring game at Memorial Stadium. / Bobby Goddin/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK
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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – After a three-and-out opening possession, Indiana's offense was clicking on its second drive.

Indiana entered the red zone after a handful of chunk plays. Running back Ty Son Lawton gave Indiana its first first down of the season on a 15-yard rush, and quarterback Kurtis Rourke scrambled for a nine-yard gain.

A 10-yard rush from Justice Ellison and a 14-yard completion from Rourke to tight end Zach Horton had the Hoosiers threatening to score. And after a play-action fake, Rourke threw his first touchdown pass in an Indiana uniform to Horton.

This touchdown gave Indiana an early 7-0 lead in its first game under new head coach Curt Cignetti. There are new faces all over the 2024 roster, and each Hoosier mentioned above joined Indiana out of the transfer portal this offseason.

For updates throughout the game, follow along with our live blog HERE.

Related stories on Indiana football

  • AVAILABILITY REPORT: Indiana listed seven players OUT for its 2024 season opener against FIU. CLICK HERE
  • PREDICTION, 3 KEYS: Hoosiers will need to protect Kurtis Rourke above all other considerations. CLICK HERE
  • HOW TO WATCH: Indiana football begins its first season under coach Curt Cignetti on Saturday against the Florida International Panthers at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. Here’s how to watch, game time and TV information, the point spread and over/under, series history and more. CLICK HERE
  • MEET THE OPPONENT: If history is an indicator, it could be a high-scoring game as Indiana and Florida International meet for the fourth time in the last decade. CLICK HERE
  • 2024 IU FOOTBALL SCHEDULE: Here are the dates for the 2024 Indiana football schedule, with game time and TV information to be announced at a later date. CLICK HERE
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Jack Ankony
JACK ANKONY

Jack Ankony is a Sports Illustrated/FanNation writer for HoosiersNow.com. He graduated from Indiana University's Media School with a degree in journalism. Follow on Twitter @ankony_jack.

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