Wade Keliikipi occasionally notices the constant media attention given to Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota.

He’s got no problem being "the other Hawaii guy" for the Ducks.

"I’m happy for (Mariota) because he’s on the right track. He’s got a good head on his shoulders," Keliikipi said. "But that’s not me. I try to stay away from it. I’m not much of a talker."

While Mariota makes his run at the Heisman Trophy under an intense spotlight, Keliikipi has quietly made a huge difference on defense for the second-ranked Ducks, who remained undefeated with a 45-24 win over Washington on Saturday.

The 2009 Waianae graduate made three of his four tackles behind the line of scrimmage and was in on two sacks of Huskies quarterback Keith Price in the win.

He was singled out after the game by coach Mark Helfrich, who told reporters, "(Keliikipi) kind of just kept bringing it and bringing it and finally broke through and had at least one sack and a couple of big-time pressures.

"He’s a stud. … He’s just another one of the guys who’s one of our best practice guys. He’s had a couple of nicks and dings here and there, but has refused to miss a rep of practice."

Keliikipi was honorable mention all-conference last year despite missing three games with a lower leg injury.

In the offseason, he was named to Sports Illustrated’s all-star college football team of players who were ranked two stars or less as recruits coming out of high school.

As a senior at Waianae, Keliikipi had committed to Hawaii, where his older brother, West, played.

UH was his only scholarship offer until Oregon assistant coach Steve Greatwood visited a month before signing day and invited Keliikipi for an official visit.

He left Oahu for the first time in his life to trip to Eugene, Ore., where the Ducks offered him a scholarship.

He immediately said yes.

"When Oregon offered me a scholarship here, I thought it was an opportunity to leave the islands and really experience what was out there," Keliikipi said. "I was really blown away by the facilities and how everything is different up here."

That includes the weather, which Keliikipi said he wasn’t ready for.

Even as the temperature began to drop into the 40s and 50s, Keliikipi still trotted out to class in his normal slippers and T-shirt attire.

"People were tripping out how I was able to wear that kind of clothing," Keliikipi said. "It was brutal, but I really wasn’t prepared for anything like that because I didn’t really have anything else."

It didn’t seem to affect the 6-foot-3 306-pounder on the football field, where he immediately flashed his potential despite redshirting as a freshman.

He was one of Oregon’s top reserves a year later and earned a starting spot three games into his sophomore season, which he hasn’t given up since.

He plays for a new position coach this season, but says the defense hasn’t changed under the new staff.

In the offseason, Helfrich replaced Chip Kelly, who left to coach the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles.

"Both coaches have different styles, but nothing has changed as far as what we try to do," Keliikipi said. "My job is usually just a run stopper and taking up bodies, but if I get an opportunity to get a sack I’ll take it.

"(Against Washington) I think the DBs and the linebackers locking down the guys helped us on three- and four-man rushes to get those sacks."

Keliikipi has proven to be every bit as valuable off the field as he is on it.

Oregon has seven players on its roster from Hawaii, including five since Keliikipi’s arrival.

Offensive lineman Mana Greig was a walk-on in 2009 from Saint Louis, but has since earned a scholarship and is now a starter.

Sophomore defensive lineman DeForest Buckner, a 2012 Punahou graduate, has quickly positioned himself as a legitimate starting candidate for next season.

Linebacker Isaac Awa (Saint Louis ’10), tight end Koa Ka‘ai (Kamehameha ’11) and defensive back Bronson Yim (Saint Louis ’11) are also on the team.

Keliikipi has been in charge of hosting the kids from Hawaii on their recruiting trips.

"We take a lot of pride being from Hawaii," Keliikipi said. "It proves you can do anything. Especially with me being from Hawaii, you’d never think that a guy from Waianae would be at a top school like this.

"It just goes to show if you work your butt off on the field and in school, anything can happen."