Jordan Brothers Excel at Missouri Western

(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) Finding a rhythm on the gridiron as a redshirt freshmen can be difficult for some, but not Mike Jordan.

"This is everything I expected," he said. "I knew coming into this season we had a lot of high expectations, and I had a lot of high expectations for myself."

Jordan's excelled in his first year of varsity ball intercepting four passes, and being named MIAA Freshmen of the Year.

He hasn't done it alone, though.

Jordan has learned what it takes to earn playing time from his older brother.

Redshirt junior tight end Reggie Jordan has helped his younger sibling make the jump to college football.

"It's made life much easier, I can't lie," Mike said of Reggie's guidance. "We've been playing together our whole lives, so it's made me that much more comfortable in the transition from high school to college."

But more than just learning the x's and o's, Reggie's keeping an eye on Mike off the field as well.

"I talk to him all the time just making sure he's staying on the straight and narrow, but he does a really good job at that," Reggie said.

The older Jordan brother is more than just a mentor on the Missouri Western roster, he's becoming quarterback Travis Partridge's favorite red zone target.

Reggie's caught three touchdown passes through the first two weeks of the playoffs.

"Reggie Jordan is a red zone machine," Western head coach Jerry Partridge said. "When people know it's coming, and it's not an easy throw to make, not an easy catch to make, it's not an easy play to efficiently operate, but same token it's very hard to defend too once it's done well. And we're doing it really well.

"I feel like once the ball is in the air, it's my ball," Reggie said. "So I'm definitely willing to fight for it and go up for it."

The brothers both played big roles on their biggest stage last week.

Reggie hauled in two touchdown passes against Henderson State. Not to be outdone, Mike picked off a pass that set up another Griffon score.

As you would expect with a competitor, Reggie spoke his mind when asked which Jordan was the better athlete.

"I would say me of course," Reggie said with a laugh. "He's going to say him. After he got his pick he walked up to me, he was like, 'I couldn't let you steal all the shine.' We definitely have a little rivalry but it's fun."

A rivalry between brothers that is helping Missouri Western reach new heights.