When the Kansas Jayhawks host Fresno State on Saturday to begin the college football season, much attention will focus on quarterbacks with notable family connections. Fresno State is set to start E.J. Warner, whose father is Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee Kurt Warner. Kansas’s backup quarterback, Cole Ballard, is the son of Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard and supports starter Jalon Daniels.
E.J. Warner secured the Bulldogs’ starting position after a competitive preseason battle against Carson Conklin and Jayden Mandel. “He’s got leadership and poise,” Fresno State head coach Matt Entz said. “But we need daily competition — no comfort zones.” Warner joins as a senior transfer from Rice University and has accumulated 58 career touchdowns alongside 37 interceptions, something that Fresno State will attempt to control this season.
Kansas coach Lance Leipold commented on Warner’s readiness for the role: “He doesn’t get rattled,” Leipold said. “He’s got experience and poise — not surprising at all.”
The game marks Kansas’s return for Daniels as starting quarterback in his sixth season after passing for 2,454 yards and 14 touchdowns last year despite injury challenges. The team also unveils significant upgrades with the completion of phase one of a $450 million stadium renovation at David Booth Memorial Stadium.
“It feels like a homecoming weekend, but we’ve got to stay locked in,” Leipold said regarding the team’s mindset entering the opener.
Cole Ballard rises to second string after joining as a walk-on player—a transition Leipold attributes partly to Ballard’s background: “I knew there’d be upside with a competitive makeup like that,” Leipold said.
Kansas aims for its first bowl appearance since 2022 while balancing offensive threats including Daniels, center Bryce Foster, and defensive leader Justice Finkley—each recently named permanent team captains. Daniels adds dual-threat abilities with 19 career rushing touchdowns in addition to his passing statistics.
Both programs enter Week Zero looking to establish momentum under experienced leadership as they start their seasons.
