Kansas will make a change at quarterback for Saturday’s Big 12 matchup against TCU, with Cole Ballard getting the start for the Jayhawks.
Ballard will start in place of Isaiah Marshall, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. It will be Ballard’s first start since the 2023 season and just the second start of his college career.
Marshall had started each of Kansas’ first seven games this season but saw his status trend in the wrong direction throughout the week. He was initially listed as probable before being downgraded to questionable on Thursday’s availability report.
Kansas head coach Lance Leipold said following last week’s 25-24 win over Baylor that Marshall had been “a little banged up.”
More: Kansas vs. TCU Prediction and Preview
Now the Jayhawks will turn to Ballard for a critical road game in Fort Worth.
Ballard has appeared in three games this season, completing 5 of 8 passes for 96 yards. He also missed time earlier this year after suffering a shoulder injury against Missouri.
His only previous career start came as a true freshman against Kansas State in the 2023 Sunflower Showdown. Ballard completed 11 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown as the Jayhawks nearly pulled off the upset before falling 31-27.
Ballard spent the offseason competing with Marshall for the starting job following the departure of Jalon Daniels, with Marshall eventually winning the competition.
Now Ballard gets another opportunity to lead the Kansas offense.
The quarterback change adds another wrinkle to an important game for two teams trying to salvage their seasons. Kansas and TCU both enter Saturday at 3-4 overall and 1-3 in Big 12 play, putting additional pressure on both sides as they try to remain in the hunt for bowl eligibility.
Kansas is coming off its first Big 12 win of the season after beating Baylor last weekend, while TCU fell 24-20 at home to West Virginia.
Kickoff between Kansas and TCU is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT on FS1.
