Montee Ball has confirmed that he has "high expectations" ahead of his first season in the NFL.

The rookie running back played his first game for the Denver Broncos on Thursday, rushing for nine yards from five carries during the 10-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers.

The 22-year-old told the AFC West champions' website: "For it being my first NFL game, I was a little nervous at first just because I know I've got high expectations this year and I've most definitely got to match those standards.

"But it felt good, though, to get the first few carries out of the way, because now I feel a lot more comfortable. I do feel like it went well. Probably one of my runs I could've cut it up earlier, but we've all got room to improve.

"Running through that tunnel Thursday night, it felt great. That's what I was looking forward to. That's why we play the game. It's for the fans and obviously because we love it. You just love to run out of the tunnel with your teammates, because it's time to play some football."

Ball recorded 1,830 rushing yards and scored 22 touchdowns during the 2012 college season.