Cole Ballard Texas Tech Postgame
Kansas quarterback Cole Ballard answers questions from the media after he takes over the offense in the Jayhawks' loss against the Texas Tech Red Raiders
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00:00 And it's something that not a lot of guys get the opportunity to do, and I'm very grateful for it.
00:04 >> What have the last few weeks been like for you, knowing that you're next up after Jason?
00:09 >> Just going in and making sure I'm as mentally prepared as possible,
00:12 because I'm just sitting back and this gives me reps during practice.
00:15 So you've got to be able to go in and learn from mistakes, learn from starters' mistakes.
00:20 And Jason's been nothing but helpful to me, and just a great mentor.
00:23 >> How different did you feel first snap out there compared to the final drive for you guys?
00:28 >> Yeah, you get the first snap jitters out of there, but once you catch that first one,
00:31 you walk out on the field, it's like you're in the backyard playing.
00:34 So it's no different.
00:36 >> Do you feel like they pretty much ran the whole playbook with you?
00:39 Or is anything limited based on the experience?
00:43 >> We do a lot of studying, we do a lot of meeting work just to be prepared,
00:46 just in case the backup isn't in the game.
00:48 So it really doesn't.
00:49 >> What kind of in-game, live, real-time feedback were you getting from guys
00:54 during timeouts on the sideline when the defense is out there?
00:57 It looked like a lot of love from receivers, linemen, everybody.
01:00 >> I mean, obviously it's my first game being out there, so
01:03 they tell me what they're seeing, which is beyond helpful.
01:07 You have different quarterbacks coming up to you, so
01:10 just being able to hear different aspects of what they all see helps me out a lot.
01:14 >> How much did the experience of having to go in for a play at Iowa State and
01:17 also getting that series at Missouri State help you when you had to come in this time?
01:20 >> It's definitely, it helped with the jitters, first play jitters.
01:24 Being able to go out there, catch a snap, feel the atmosphere,
01:26 is definitely the thing that helped the most.
01:28 >> Was there still a speed of the game thing that you had to get used to, or
01:32 do you think you had that down?
01:34 >> I think I had that down.
01:35 We see one of the best defenses in the Big 12 every day in practice, so
01:38 it's not nothing new.
01:40 >> And Jason, does Andy continue?
01:43 >> Yeah, Jason's in, he was in my ear, I mean, he's the best teammate I could ask
01:48 for to be heard and still be able to back up and help the freshman out.
01:52 It's something that I applaud him for.
01:55 >> Jalen too?
01:56 >> Yes, sir.
01:56 >> Yeah. >> Yes, sir.
01:57 >> How helpful to have both of those guys, they play a ton of football.
02:01 >> Yeah, they have played a lot of football.
02:02 Jason's been around for a long time, Jalen's been around for a long time.
02:05 And just like what I was saying,
02:06 being able to hear what they have to say is something that helps a lot.
02:10 >> That drive when you go out there, right?
02:12 20 yard line, you know you got 80 yards to go.
02:15 What are you thinking about when you took the field?
02:18 >> Just wasn't really thinking about much, just go out there and perform.
02:22 They have to trust in me, I gotta have confidence in myself, and I did.
02:26 And those guys backed me up, and the first two plays were shaky, but
02:29 then knocked the rest off.
02:30 Go out there, just confident to refocus and move on.
02:33 >> Was there a play or a moment that you felt like, okay,
02:35 I'm gonna be okay out here?
02:37 I mean, you obviously were.
02:38 >> I wouldn't say so.
02:41 I've always said taking your first hit is always what gets you in the game.
02:45 When you get hit for the first time, you're ready to go.
02:47 >> Yeah.
02:48 >> Coach just said in the background, just being around so many players,
02:51 I said, I'm just gonna play myself a lot.
02:53 I didn't feel like you'd get out there.
02:54 I just got something going on.
02:55 >> They're ready for you your whole life?
02:56 >> Yeah, I mean, I'd say my environment has definitely helped me throughout the
02:59 years, being around it, being able to see the best of the best and
03:02 see what they do, so I feel like that's definitely very helpful.
03:06 >> Have you talked to your dad yet?
03:07 >> I have not, no.
03:09 >> I mean, were you there tonight?
03:10 >> Yeah, I'll call him.
03:12 See what he has to say, so he always has the best, he's the best, so
03:15 he has the best things to say.
03:16 He'll help out a lot.
03:18 >> As the game went on, you seemed more and more willing to run.
03:20 The fact that that's such a big part of this offense,
03:22 were you excited about getting that opportunity?
03:24 Or was it kind of just settling in and finally-
03:27 >> Just settling in, feeling more comfortable.
03:29 When you see the running lanes, you gotta take them, especially,
03:32 I mean, they play very well up front, so you gotta take what they're giving you.
03:36 Sometimes I can't leave the pocket when I did,
03:38 gotta make smarter decisions, but yeah, running is definitely something that helped.
03:41 >> Anything specific from either Jalen or
03:43 Jason about that kind of, how to develop that in your game and how to recognize that?
03:47 >> They just create, do the best you can.
03:50 When the play breaks down, go out and just make something happen.
03:55 That's what the game is, making something happen.
03:57 You gotta make plays that people appreciate.
03:59 >> You mentioned they played well up front.
04:00 Did you feel that, especially in the red zone?
04:02 It felt like there were some runs that came up short against the red zone.
04:04 >> Yeah, they just, they're really good.
04:07 And sometimes you don't get what you want.
04:10 Sometimes they play really well and they play the gaps really well.
04:12 So it's just one of those days that happens.