By Rob Moseley

Editor, GoDucks.com

Venue: Moshofsky Center

Format: Full pads

After the scout-team offense experienced some success during a red-zone period in practice last Wednesday, Oregon's defense answered with vigor in the same period this week. More of the same would be most welcome Saturday, when the Ducks take on a Stanford offense that can overpower foes at the line of scrimmage in short-yardage situations.

Danny Mattingly had a tackle for loss on the second play of the period today, and moments later Tyson Coleman teamed with another linebacker and also brought down a ballcarrier in the backfield. The defense's practice performance in the red zone last week didn't carry over against Cal – the Golden Bears only reached the end zone twice in five red-zone opportunities – but the Ducks would like to see today's effort end up being indicative of their play against the Cardinal on Saturday (4:30 p.m., FOX).

The chief concern at Stanford will be running back and Heisman Trophy candidate Christian McCaffrey. He is a threat both as a tailback and out of the Wildcat. But the Pac-12 leader in rushing touchdowns against conference opponents is actually Stanford's short-yardage bruiser Remound Wright, who has 10 on 47 rushes in which he averages 2.6 yards. And the Ducks expect quarterback Kevin Hogan to be a threat, after he rushed for 140 yards over the last two weeks.

“What I recall from the Stanford offense in the past, you're going to get some quarterback nakeds (bootleg runs) and some quarterback read-powers,” UO defensive coordinator Don Pellum said. “They've always done that. I don't know if there's more this year of those types of plays; I know there's bigger yardage on those plays.”

McCaffrey leads the nation in all-purpose running with 241.6 yards per game. That includes 134.11 rushing yards per game, 10th in the nation and second in the Pac-12 behind Royce Freeman, though McCaffrey leads the Pac-12 in rushing yards per game against conference foes with 154.71.

“He runs hard, but he's also got speed,” UO linebacker Joe Walker said. “He can beat you in multiple ways.”

McCaffery's 28.81 yards per kickoff return rank third in the Pac-12. The Ducks will look to limit his opportunities there with kickoff specialist Matt Wogan, whose 42 touchbacks rank fourth nationally.

If McCaffrey does bring one out, he'll have to contend with a kickoff coverage team getting contributions from some unheralded players. California double-teamed walk-on inside linebacker De'Quan McDowell several times last week, UO special teams coordinator Tom Osborne said, and used an unusual strategy to attack freshman safety Fotu Leiato.

A vicious hitter who has often attracted double-teams himself despite being a true freshman, Leiato had to contend with a Cal return team that, at the kick, sent a player not backwards to set a block, but sprinting forward to attack Leiato before he could get much momentum going.

“I think it was about the sixth kickoff, I was getting out of my stance, I looked up and he was right there,” Leiato said. “That was the first time I've ever seen that. I just had to adjust to it, try to get him off me.”

Osborne said the strategy might have indicated Cal's desire to open up a return alley in that direction. It may also have been a nod of respect to the coverage ability of Leiato, a starter on the kickoff team since the opening week of the season. He has three tackles on the season – opportunities are limited given Wogan's propensity for touchbacks – including one on Cal's first return last week.

More of the same would be welcome Saturday at Stanford, as would a repeat of the red-zone defense the Ducks played Wednesday.

Other highlights: The first-team offense mounted a nice drive in clutch before stalling in the end zone. Vernon Adams Jr. moved the chains with a run and completions to Dwayne Stanford and Darren Carrington before time expired; Stanford tried to make a diving play on a ball in the end zone but it went off his hands. The twos didn't get as far down the field, and their drive ended when Taj Griffin mishandled the ball. It was recovered by his brother, Ty Griffin, who smartly ran it out of bounds as time expired rather than try to return it and risk extending the scenario with a turnover of his own. …

In 1-on-1 passing drills in the red zone, Tyree Robinson broke up a pass intended for Tony Brooks-James, and Khalil Oliver broke up a couple plays, after his interception last week clinched the victory over Cal. Offensively, Stanford was a handful as usual, and Pharaoh Brown made a couple touchdown grabs as he continues to work himself into some drills. … A nice moment for both travel squads during one team period, with Carrington hauling in a touchdown pass from Adams at one of the field while Rodney Hardrick was intercepting a pass against the scout team at the other end.

Other observations: Scout-team running back J.J. Jones is playing the role of McCaffrey this week, and offensive lineman Davis Miyashiro-Saipaia has taken some snaps out of the backfield as the Ducks try to replicate the “ogre” position Stanford employs. … On Tuesday, Doug Brenner worked with the ones in the clutch drill, and today some other backups got the chance to work with the ones in that drill. That included Brenner again, at guard, along with Kirk Merritt. On defense, Eddie Heard, Jimmie Swain and Austin Maloata all got some reps with the ones. … The practice huddle was broken by graduate equipment manager Osbaldo “Ozzie” Escatel, in recognition of his military service on Veteran's Day.