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Oregon Ducks wide receiver Dwayne Stanford (18) celebrates with teammates after the Ducks scored a touchdown during the second half of the 2012 Civil War at Reser Stadium.

(Ross William Hamilton/The Oregonian)

EUGENE -- When

joined teammates at Oregon's conditioning program earlier this summer, he said he was never so happy to realize he was out of shape.

That's because the 6-foot-5 sophomore wide receiver was overjoyed to be even given the chance to run just months after undergoing left knee surgery in mid-April. The injury was not disclosed but

either the ACL or MCL.

"I was out of shape, that's for sure, but that came with working and it was great to get back out there and not be limited," he said. "I feel great. Most of all I feel good back out there with the team, not on the sideline. All spring I was on the sideline just watching and wanting to be out there. Now I can be out there and it feels great."

After spring practices ended with Stanford's status unknown for UO's Aug. 31 season opener against Nicholls State, he was running well before fall camp opened. Oregon's trainers didn't give him a standard timetable to judge his recovery by, but he said got healthier faster than he expected.

"He's practiced great and as surprising as that sounds, that's why we never talk about that stuff (injuries) because as soon as somebody's two-to-three weeks or three-to-nine weeks and two-to-12 weeks, they're a half a week," head coach Mark Helfrich said.

As with most young players, Stanford believes his biggest offseason improvement came in watching video with more precision. Being unable to run, though, made video study the only option for much of his recovery.

When he watched his freshman season again -- he played in all 13 games, catching 11 passes for 106 yards and rushing eight times for 106 yards -- he understood why many observers had him and fellow sophomore Bralon Addison pegged for breakout seasons in 2013.

He also saw mistakes. Now that he's healthy he has the chance to correct them, and it's an opportunity he's not taking for granted.

"My mistakes -- not going full speed -- that just comes with familiarity of the offense and growing another year," he said. "It's always room for improvement. … It feels good."

To the links:

My story on

for the Ducks this year, a position that sounds boring in theory but isn't so at UO.

Jason Quick

, and includes the return of coach Gary Campbell.

writing on the demise of the typical Heisman Trophy campaign, says UO will take "wait-and-see" approach on Marcus Mariota and De'Anthony Thomas.

The Register-Guard's Ryan Thorburn

about the inside linebackers' platoon approach with so many talented contenders.

Gary Horowitz looks into

rushing off the defensive end.

The Emerald's Hayden Kim recaps what

the backup quarterbacks, and

on the defense so far.

offensive lineman Tyler Johnstone, can you pronounce the name of your teammate Andre Yruretagoyena? Also,

interviews they did.

Addicted to Quack provides some

, including a blocked PAT by a defensive lineman.

In non-football news,

? If the Ducks do, and there's no decision yet, all signs point to sand volleyball being the choice.