Facing the likely league MVP in the biggest game of the USFL season, Pittsburgh Maulers defensive coordinator Jarren Horton understands the uphill climb he faces this weekend.
Birmingham Stallions quarterback Alex McGough has been an unstoppable force this year in guiding his team back to the USFL Championship, where they will attempt to defend their title (Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on NBC).
An all-USFL team selection, McGough led the league in touchdown passes (20). He also completed 67.4% of his passes for 2,104 yards and ran for another 403 yards and five scores.
However, Horton said what makes McGough so tough to defend is his ability to create chunk plays with second-reaction throws against a distorted defense.
Horton and his defense can take some solace in how the Maulers defended McGough in a Week 4 matchup earlier this season, limiting him to 157 passing yards and forcing two of his five interceptions this season.
However, Horton knows that McGough is playing much better in the postseason than earlier this year.
Along with McGough, the Stallions have a productive group of playmakers for the 27-year-old signal caller to get the ball to. Tight end Jace Sternberger also earned All-USFL honors, leading the league with seven touchdown catches, with 33 receptions for 517 receiving yards.
Davion Davis was Birmingham’s top receiver on the perimeter, totaling 39 receptions for 575 receiving yards and four scores. Deon Cain and tight end La’Michael Pettway also made splash plays down the field.
And versatile running back CJ Marable (1,079 all-purpose yards) led the ground game, while also showing the ability to make plays in the passing game.
With the No.1-ranked defense through the regular season, allowing just 257.4 total yards per contest and forcing a league-high 20 takeaways, the Maulers will look to get back to their stingy ways defensively after a 31-27 overtime victory over the Michigan Panthers in the USFL North Championship Game last week.
The Panthers allowed dual-threat quarterback E.J. Perry to throw for 370 passing yards and two touchdowns. Michigan finished with eight passing plays of 15-plus yards against Pittsburgh’s defense.
Horton said Pittsburgh has to get back to playing assignment-correct football and doing their jobs.
As for stopping McGough and Birmingham’s explosive offense, Horton said that also will take a group effort.
