EUGENE -- Oregon coach Mario Cristobal said Monday he isn't concerned about peripheral story lines heading into Saturday's 2 p.m. game with visiting San Jose State.

The Spartans are 0-2 following losses to FCS UC Davis and Washington State, which means the Spartans have something in common with previous Oregon non-conference opponents Bowling Green and Portland State.

There isn't a victory between here.

The No. 20 Ducks are 2-0, and romped in their first two games. On paper, this week's game looks like more of the same.

But, Cristobal is more concerned about the Ducks than the opposition.

"The approach is so business-like here as we continue to march along through this portion of the year," he said, answering a question about four members of the UO coaching staff -- Marcus Arroyo (player and coach), Jim Mastro (coach), Joe Salave'a (coach) and Donte Williams (coach with San Jose State ties).

"The approach we have is, stay humble, stay hungry, attack every single opportunity that we have created ourselves. We have created great opportunities for ourselves because of the way we are playing."

There is that. The Ducks have outscored Bowling Green and PSU by a combined 120-38. Justin Herbert has tossed nine TD passes. The UO backs average 5.7 yards per carry and opponents 2.2

Maybe most impressive is the way the Ducks are showing focus and discipline on the field that had been missing in recent years.

Oregon has committed a total of eight penalties for 90 yards in two games.

"Offensively, we didn't have a single penalty," Cristobal said of the PSU game. "That's kind of a ground-breaking thing for us. ... I thought the attention to detail, the discipline and effort were there."

It's been a program emphasis since Cristobal succeeded Willie Taggart as head coach last year.

"We're pleased with that kind of progress," Cristobal said. "But it still has to get better. That part and the fact we didn't turn the ball over. If you don't shoot yourself in the foot, your chances go up exponentially throughout the course of a game.

"We had officials at just about every single one of our practices throughout camp. I think that has paid off. It will continue to pay off because we are still using them."

When Cristobal and the UO coaches evaluate, he said, they focus on fundamentals. The goal isn't complicated.

"Every play you play with a lot of energy and a lot of enthusiasm and some really good effort," Cristobal said. "We saw improvement across the board. Fundamentals improved. We thought our pad level was better. We tackled better. We controlled the line of scrimmage better. We were much more efficient on offense."

The Ducks had good news on the injury front. Cristobal said linebacker La'Mar Winston, who missed the PSU game because of an ankle sprained against Bowling Green, practiced on Sunday. There were no apparent fresh injuries of consequence.

"We have some bumps and bruises, but nothing that should prevent anybody from playing this Saturday," Cristobal said.

-- Ken Goe

kgoe@oregonian.com | @KenGoe