Kansas QB Jalon Daniels received a special message from Lance Leipold before Game 1
Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels and coach Lance Leipold had a short conversation on Wednesday night, the day before KU’s season opener against Lindenwood at Children’s Mercy Park.
The pair discussed Daniels’ return to college football. Due to a back injury, he played in only three games last season.
Thursday’s game marked 341 days since Daniels last played college football.
“Coach Leipold knows I’m one of those guys that’s ready to make as many plays as possible, so he knows that I was eager to get back on the field,” Daniels said. “He was just letting me know to take (things) play-by-play. Don’t try to put up 21 points all at once.”
Although he played only the first half of KU’s 48-3 win over the Lions, Daniels looked like his usual self — well, mostly.
He finished 9-of-15 passing for 148 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
“It felt great be back out there and being able to make plays with guys all over again — being able to watch playmakers make plays in space,” Daniels said.
His lone mistake came on a throw to wide receiver Luke Grimm, where Daniels threw well short of a streaking Grimm, and the defensive back picked off the pass.
Daniels admitted it was his fault and that Grimm read the defense correctly.
“The DB did a great job of making the coverage look like it was something different,” he said. “That’s one of the throws I want back.”
Not long after, Daniels found Grimm for a 58-yard touchdown pass. It was a constant theme throughout the night — Daniels looked toward Grimm whenever he could.
And often, he would find him.
“We both came here (in) 2020, he was 17 and I was 18. He’s about to be 22 and I’m 23,” Grimm said. “We kind of grew up together. We got to experience a lot of tough times in college football and tonight, we got to experience a good time together. (It’s based on) a lot of offseason work, a lot of (watching) film together and just hanging out — being friends. Just building relationships with each other.”
As for the second half...
Cole Ballard takes over as KU’s backup quarterback
Cole Ballard, who earned the No. 2 nod for the Jayhawks at QB, played well in his relief appearance.
He finished 5-of-6 passing for 56 yards with one touchdown. He also ran three times for 20 yards, with a long carry of 14 yards.
After playing as the third-string QB last season, Ballard won the backup job over freshman Isaiah Marshall this fall. He showed promise in the few games he did play last season and looked poised on Thursday.
Daniels commended Ballard’s overall growth
“That kid is one of those quarterbacks that’s always determined to be able to get better,” Daniels said. “I feel like his determination is what makes him the guy and the quarterback he is today. If he makes a mistake, he’s definitely one of those guys who’s going to bounce back from it no matter what. I feel like he’s somebody who’s eager to learn no matter what the situation is.”
As for the biggest difference between Ballard a year ago and now?
“I feel like he’s being more calm,” Daniels said. “I feel like he knows he has a grip of the offense — he knows the offense way better than last year.”
This story was originally published August 30, 2024 at 12:11 AM with the headline "Kansas QB Jalon Daniels received a special message from Lance Leipold before Game 1."
