Oregon Ducks vs. Stanford Cardinal

Oregon Ducks defensive back Erick Dargan (4) strips the ball from Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan (8) as Oregon beat the Cardinal, 45-16, last week in Autzen Stadium.

(Thomas Boyd/The Oregonian)

EUGENE -- When Oregon's defensive backs agreed to a competition about who would intercept the most passes this season, they say they did so knowing the odds were in a safety's favor.



"Sometimes you play safety and the ball just comes right to you," senior corner Ifo Ekpre-Olomu said, joking about the "ease" of playing safety. "At corner you have to man them up and get inside leverage or turn your head over the top. Safety you're playing center field."



With his team-leading five interceptions in nine games, Erick Dargan indeed is almost making it look easy.



In his first season as a starter, the 5-foot-11, 210-pound senior free safety is reprising his turnover-forcing role that he began in 2012, when his playing time spiked due to injury during the Ducks' stretch run toward the Fiesta Bowl title.



In 2012's final seven games, Dargan intercepted five passes, including four picks in the last three.



"I always viewed myself as a starter and prepared like a starter to it keep me ready," Dargan said. "Whenever my opportunity came I was ready to take advantage for it."



He's taken advantage given full rein this season, adding a forced fumble and interception against Stanford, after which he was named UO's player of the game on both defense and special teams. His 65 tackles lead the team, thanks to a game-high dozen tackles against the Cardinal.



"My passion for the game is pretty big," Dargan said. "Anytime a team is out there I want to make plays and contribute to the win so the love that I have for the game, I can't even explain it. It's big."



Dargan says his production comes from shaking a stubborn streak. He used to be disruptive in negative ways — see the 2013 suspension that cut his season short.

He's now taking pleasure in curbing opponents' drives, instead. He learned "how to help others and accept help from others." He used to freelance too often, he says, imbued by a robust self-confidence — now he recognizes the defense's strength on each play, and forces opponents toward it.



"He's just very instinctive," said head coach Mark Helfrich, adding Dargan has "grown up a lot" since his suspension for last season's Civil War.



"The 'ball hawk' term for guys who are always around ... whether it's a turnover or forcing a fumble, recovering a fumble, he does it all the time in practice.



"... That again, is a guy that's been nicked and dinged and playing a ton of key positions in special teams."



His 11 career interceptions are one away from tying for ninth all-time in school history. And if he gets 13, he'd tie for sixth all-time with players Aaron Gipson, Steve Smith and Mario Clark.



His teammates in the secondary — the "D-Boyz" — might tell you it's a safe bet he'll join that list.

OK, on to today's links:

Oregon moved up in the College Football Playoff rankings.

Marijuana is now legal in the state, and Oregon is keeping tabs on what it means.

How the Ducks are no longer seeing red in the red zone.

Fans' grades for the Stanford win.

Marcus Mariota previews Utah.

Here's video of Mariota discussing the matchup.

Utah plays two quarterbacks, which adds a wrinkle to defensive prep.

We hardly knew ye, B.J. Kelley's secret Instagram account.

Oh yeah, basketball season has begun at Oregon.

Oregon women's basketball won't be a run-n-gun team this season.

Not really Ducks related, but Jason Quick has a great new podcast up. Why Tom Izzo doesn't like him.

-- Andrew Greif | @andrewgreif