Jalon Daniels delivers solid performance, credits the crowd and energy

Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels delivered a solid performance as the Jayhawks opened their newly rebuilt David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium with a 31-7 win over Fresno State.

Daniels completed 18-of-20 passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 47 yards, setting the tone for the team to start 1-0.

From the moment the team stepped onto the field, Daniels said the atmosphere was electric.

“The atmosphere, as soon as we come out of the tunnel, when you see all the fans sitting there striped out, it means a lot,” Daniels said. “I got to give hats off to all the fans for even coming out because we sold The Booth out once again, first time back in The Booth. And you know, we’re going to keep on, continue to do that.”

Daniels noted that the energy from the sold out crowd and early arriving student section carried over to the team’s play on the field.

“They came out, they showed out, and I think that they played a big factor in us being able to continue to do what we did, both offensively, defensively, and special teams wise,” he said.

Feeling comfortable in scheme

A major storyline entering the season was Daniels’ connection with offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jim Zebrowski. Daniels said the familiarity helped the offense look sharp from the start.

“He’s been my quarterback coach for five years,” Daniel said of Zebrowski. “He’s been able to see what I do best, things that I need to work on. And I think that he does his best to be able to put the offense in the best position to go out there and score points.”

Daniels added that his trust in the play calling makes him more confident on the field.

“Whatever he calls out there, I’m going to treat like it’s the best play call ever, because at the end of the day, I know that he’s calling a play out there to score,” he said.

That mindset showed in the game plan against Fresno State. The offense showed a lot of glimpses what it looked like in the 2022-23 seasons when Zebrowski was on staff and Matt Lubick was assisting as an analyst.

Zebrowski was aggressive and the offense was two-of-three on fourth downs.

“I know Coach Z likes to go for it on fourth down, but that call is to the head man,” Daniels said, referring to head coach Lance Leipold. “He has a lot of faith in us offensively to go out there and execute.”

Daniels also credited his receivers, including Cam Pickett and Emmanuel Henderson. The two transfer portal players combined for nine catches, 101 yards and two touchdowns,

“The sky’s the limit,” Daniels said of the receivers. “We have a lot of selfless receivers that are in that room. There’s no me, over we guys. We continue to be we over me guys. And I think it shows out there.”