Indiana University Athletics
Golden Arm Award Tabs Rourke to Top 5 List
11/14/2024 4:00:00 PM | Football
Rourke is a semifinalist for three other national awards as the Walter Camp Award, the Maxwell Award and Davey O'Brien Award have all tabbed him to their semifinalist lists.
Rourke is the highest-rated passer in the FBS per Pro Football Focus (92.3) and owns the second-best passing efficiency (182.7) in the nation. He ranks No. 2 in the Big Ten and No. 12 in FBS with 21 passing touchdowns, a total that sits tied for No. 6 on the IU single-season list and he is top-20 in both single-season passing (2,401) and total offense (2,427) in the IU record books.
In 2024, Rourke has thrown just four interceptions- the fourth fewest among Power 5 passers – with one of those on an end-of-half throw to the end zone against Nebraska. He is the first Big Ten quarterback since 2000 to throw for at least 250 yards and three touchdowns in his first three career conference road starts.
He is a two-time Big Ten Player of the Week and was the Manning Award Quarterback of the Week after a Week 3 victory at UCLA. On the national level, Rourke was named to the Davey O'Brien Quarterback Class of 2024.
The namesake of the Golden Arm Award has a storied history. Johnny Unitas was an 18-year veteran of the NFL, who played his collegiate career at the University of Louisville before joining the Baltimore Colts in 1958. His career passing figures include 2,830 pass completions for 40,239 yards, 290 touchdowns and throwing a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games.
This year's award winner will be presented the Golden Arm Award trophy at the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award celebration the Four Seasons Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland on Friday, December 6, 2024.
Giving life to the commitment to give back, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc. and presenting sponsor A. O. Smith continue to promote football on all levels by providing financial aid to deserving young scholar athletes.
