Duck Territory and the rest of the Oregon media spoke with defensive coordinator Don Pellum for nearly 10 minutes Wednesday as the #5 Ducks prepare to face the Stanford Cardinal.

On practice this week: "Practice is going well, kids' attitude has been great, their play has been great, and we've got a game this week. We're really fired up."

On Stanford's success running the ball: "I think when teams run the ball, first you have to play with better pad level, second, you have to get off blocks, and third, you have to get a lot of people to the ball. Those are the three things we're planning to do, and obviously you have to pick and choose when you try to pressure and those things. We have to play with better pad level – better than we have so far – and do a good job not getting stuck on blocks while running better than we've ever ran."

On Stanford this year: "When we see Stanford, they're still Stanford. They're a tremendous running team that has some very good skill players, so we have to prepare for everything. They open up their arsenal, and we have to come out prepared for however they want to attack us."

On Kevin Hogan: "Hogan does a tremendous job of leading. When things are not going well, he'll put games on his back. He'll run, he'll keep plays alive, he'll make big plays. He's kind of the key to the offense and we'll have to contain him. He's big, physical, and you have to tackle him."

On similarities between Stanford and Michigan State: "I think their base offenses are kind of similar...I think Stanford's version is a bit different than Michigan State's, it's more power. Based on last week, Stanford might be opening things up a little more, but their similarities are that they're both running offenses, but they're different."

Michigan State cont.: "I think the Michigan State game will help us to a small degree, maybe 20 percent, but I think the rest of the game plan will come from playing Stanford in past years and what they're doing this year."

On facing Stanford's power offense in a spread-oriented conference: "When you play Stanford, it's a shorter work week because it's such a different offense. You have to have some defenses that you can go to that you can get ready in three or four days as opposed to some of the defenses we've been running against other teams. You have to have a defense or two that you can apply to a spread offense and then apply as well to a two-tight, two running back offense."

On Arik Armstead's availability: "I don't know what the training report says, but he's looking good in practice. I think it's day-to-day, is that what we say?"

On Ifo Ekpre-Olomu: "I think Ifo's performance, the leadership quality and the play on the field, has been up there with the best guys we've had...I think Ifo ranks up there with the best guys we've had, and we've had a lot of really good secondary guys."

On if guys were pressing against Stanford last year: "Last year, I don't recall that in my meeting room. If coach Helfrich and coach Frost said that, I don't recall that."

On what Arizona State did well against Stanford: "I haven't studied those games...I've seen those games in cut-ups. I saw Arizona State with more guys around the...its hard to say. There were more guys attacking, more guys at the line of scrimmage. Against Oregon State, Stanford was a different offense. Totally different games."

On Derrick Malone: "Derrick has had a tremendous career. He's been a little banged up, but he's looked good as of late. For us and for Derrick, looking forward to finishing this with a bang. We can get his best games moving forward, it'll really impact the defense."

On Malone's role the past few weeks: "We're rotating a fair amount of guys. We're trying to get strengths on the field against offenses strengths. Derrick's pretty good against the run, but his strength is that he can really run; he's good against the passing game. If we can limit guys reps, keep them fresher and utilize them more, that's why you've seen Derrick in nickel and dime situations."

On Juwaan Williams (FS) and Tyree Robinson (SS) swapping positions on the depth chart: "The fortunate thing in our defense is that a lot of our calls require multiple positions...I don't think it's a giant transition...it's just, right now, it's the best thing for this upcoming game. With those guys, they have to be flexible. It just gives us more flexibility and depth."

"Juwaan brings tremendous energy. For him, it's been a steeper learning curve; he was an offensive player primarily [in high school]. Once he gets comfortable, his natural gifts will start to shine."