Stanford could get Wilder

WILDER McANDREWS DID some nice work in the second half of Oregon State's win over USC after LT Michael Philipp injured his ankle. He might be called upon to do more of the same this Saturday against Stanford (4:30 p.m./ VERSUS). Mike Riley talks injuries, Stanford and more.

-- Mike Riley said on the injury front, MLB Tony Wilson (head) and FB Will Darkins (head) will be ready to go Saturday.

-- LB Keith Pankey (ankle) is doubtful. LT Michael Philipp (ankle sprain) is day to day. -- Wilder McAndrews replaced Philipp in the third quarter of the USC game and is the go-to guy if Philipp can’t go.

-- A combination of Cameron Collins and Keo Camat is expected to replace Pankey if the senior ‘backer can’t go. -- On WR Markus Wheaton, and how he’s replacing the hole left by the injury to James Rodgers, Riley said he’s growing weekly. “And we need it. We need him to run the football and catch the football…It’s been very, very important, I can’t emphasize it enough,” said Riley.

-- “It will be a major, major challenge for us…hopefully we can play our best game because that’s what it’s going to take,” said Riley, who talked long about Stanford’s balance and efficiency.

-- On WR Jordan Bishop, Riley said the Beavs are “only scratching the surface” on what the Beavs are doing overall in the passing game.

-- On DT Stephen Paea, he was all over the place and a major factor, major factor in how our defense played.

-- The big thing, said Riley, is that the Beavs need to continue to show up and perform these last two weeks following the impressive win over USC. But given how this season has gone, with some surprising let down type of games, Riley said he doesn’t know for sure which team will show up on Saturday. “I’d be making it up if I did,” he said.

-- “Now we have to have that same belief..the same attitude against Stanford,” said Riley.

-- On facing Stanford QB Andrew Luck, Riley said it’s paramount for the defense to play disciplined.

-- Riley said the practice schedule won’t change much with Thanksgiving on Thursday, other than they’ll have a nice dinner. “We’ll celebrate it and be thankful, but it will be after practice,” said Riley, who added that among the things he’s thankful for is “to be right here” coaching the Beavers in Corvallis.

-- Riley said one of the big things about the Stanford defense is how sharp their positioning is regardless of what they’re running (three-man front, four man, nickel packages, etc.)

-- Oregon State student assistant Jay Harbaugh, sone of Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh, signals in the plays to quarterback Ryan Katz after they're relayed down from the press box by offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf.