Matt Jordan turned on the jets, flew toward NebraskaâÂÂs punter and thwacked the ball out of the end zone for a safety.

It was the fall of 1999, and JordanâÂÂs big two-point play helped put Nebraska on the ropes. However, the Cornhuskers eventually rallied for a 24-17 come-from-behind victory against long-time cousin Kansas on that frustrating night.

Jordan, a 5-foot-10, 190-pound defensive back, was a KU red-shirt freshman that season.

âÂÂThatâÂÂs one of the favorite memories I have,â he said. âÂÂAnd I want to have another good memory before I hang it up.âÂÂ

Not much time remains, and some would say not much hope because Jordan is now a fifth-year senior and the skidding Jayhawks have only two games remaining.

âÂÂWhy not give it your all?â he said. âÂÂWe just want to step on the field for another week.âÂÂ

Jordan, who came to KU in the fall of 1998 after a productive career as a running back-defensive back at Junction City High, is one of those rose-colored-glasses people whose cup is always half-full.

Half-empty containers just donâÂÂt exist in JordanâÂÂs lifestyle.

âÂÂYouâÂÂve got to focus on never giving up,â Jordan said. âÂÂThereâÂÂs always something positive going on. Every weekâÂÂs a new day. You never know whatâÂÂs going to happen.âÂÂ

Jordan has played in 43 Kansas football games, starting only four of them, all in the secondary. Yet he has played on so many punt and kickoff teams for so long they should probably dub him, âÂÂMr. Special Teams.âÂÂ

Five years Jordan has been here and not once have the Jayhawks had a winning season. Moreover, this year will probably be the worst.

âÂÂItâÂÂs been rough,â he said, âÂÂbut I wouldnâÂÂt trade the experience for anything. I have some great memories.âÂÂ

Still, Jordan concedes there was a time early in his college career when he figured that if he wasnâÂÂt going to get to play very much he might as well check it in.

âÂÂIâÂÂm sure every athlete goes through that,â he said. âÂÂBut being part of a team is special. And I feel this team is headed in the right direction.âÂÂ

Jordan is such a positive person he even has fond memories of his last trip to Lincoln based on his experience with the NU faithful.

âÂÂTheir fans are really pleasant,â Jordan said. âÂÂI remember standing in the tunnel and some of them were giving us tips on how we could beat Nebraska.âÂÂ

The tips didnâÂÂt work. Nebraska won, 56-17.

Jordan wears jersey No. 23, digits made famous by a Jordan who plays another sport. But Matt doesnâÂÂt wear No. 23 because he wanted to be like Mike.

Jordan wanted to be like Muhammed Abdul-Rahim, a KU cornerback who was a senior when Jordan was a freshman. So he traded No. 26 for the number he has worn ever since.

âÂÂI really liked the way Muhammed worked,â Jordan said.

No one has ever complained about JordanâÂÂs work ethic. He might, in fact, be the personification of coach Mark ManginoâÂÂs oft-used expression about going out there and sawing wood.

âÂÂHopefully,â Jordan said, âÂÂIâÂÂve rubbed off something positive.âÂÂ