Jordan Otdoerfer keeps a big family in the crowd at Upper Iowa football games

When you say Jordan Otdoerfer has his own cheering section at Upper Iowa football games, he really has his own section. You need that many seats to accommodate the Otdoerfer clan.

Jordan is the third youngest in a family of 13 children - nine girls and four boys.

“Words can't really describe it,” said the sophomore from rural Strawberry Point. “Holidays are just crazy, especially now with all the nieces and nephews. But it's awesome having that many siblings. You receive a lot of support from your family.”

Otdoerfer's brothers and sisters live in Iowa, all but two in the Strawberry Point area. The youngest of Richard and Caroline Otdoerfer's children, Vinnie, is Starmont High School's leading rusher this season as a sophomore.

The Otdoerfer backs have speed and quickness, something that comes from mom and dad, who were both good athletes at Starmont.

“I think my dad had all the track records until my brother-in-law (Clint Miller) came along and broke them,” Jordan said.

Otdoerfer has made the transition from Class 1A football to NCAA Division II level. Despite missing a game with injury, he is Upper Iowa's top rusher, averaging 76 yards per game and 6 yards a carry, and its top kick and punt returner.

“A great kid, a great young man,” said Upper Iowa running backs coach Dave Barclay. “Really a pleasure to coach.”

Barclay is in his fifth season at Upper Iowa after a long and successful career at Starmont. He didn't get the opportunity to coach Jordan in high school but did coach two of his brothers: Mike and Isaac.

“We've actually had to back Jordan off a little bit,” Barclay said. “He was on every one of our special teams, as well as being our No. 1 running back. It was just too much.”