Las Cruces Sun: Jordan dodging sophomore jinx

By Felix Chavez/Assistant Sports Editor

Coming into the 2005 season, California sophomore wide receiver Robert Jordan was aiming for more consistency. A year after he caught 29 passes as a true freshman, Jordan believes he has found that consistency for the 3-0 and 13th-ranked Bears, who play New Mexico State tonight at 8 at Aggie Memorial Stadium on ESPN.   This year, Jordan has already had a big game, catching a career-best 11 passes for 192 yards in a 56-17 win against Pac-10 rival Washington, which earned him the Pac-10 Conference Player of the Week honors.  “Over the summer, it was all about running better routes and making sure I catch the ball consistently,” Jordan said. “I’m looking the ball in better.” Jordan is expected to be the leader at the wide receiver spot after the Bears lost four receivers from last year’s squad.   “I have to step up and be a leader,” Jordan said. “I have to be ready every game and step up and help our offense be productive every game.” Said Cal coach, Jeff Tedford: “Robert struggled at times last year, but he’s matured and has really stepped up for us this season. We have high hopes for him this season.”

Tonight’s contest will be a reunion of sorts for Jordan and New Mexico State junior receiver Stevelan Harper, who were high school teammates in Hayward, Calif. “Stevelan is a great guy and we’re close, we still talk quite a bit,” said Jordan. “In high school, I stayed with him for about six months and he’s a great friend. We don’t get to see each other very much anymore, so it’s neat to play against him. I remember in high school, he returned a punt for a score and had to reverse field two or three times. It was a great play. It’s a great memory to have. Hopefully, Stevelan will have a lot of success and the team does well.”

NMSU coach Hal Mumme would not allow Harper to talk to the media this week. Meanwhile, Jordan hopes that his 11-catch performance against Washington two weeks ago is a consistent theme for him the rest of the season. “If we execute in this offense, we can have a lot of guys post big numbers,” Jordan said.  “We had to come from behind to beat Illinois and that showed we can handle adversity. We’re getting better as a team.”