The Salt Lake Stallions have sputtered out of the gate, largely because an inconsistent offense, but they’ll get a chance to turn things around on Saturday when they face the San Diego Fleet at SDCCU Stadium.
The Stallions (1-3) are coming off a 20-11 loss to Orlando last weekend, dropping Salt Lake to 1-3 for the season. The Stallions did get over 100 combined rushing yards from the running back duo of Joel Bouagnon and Branden Oliver, the third time in three games the two have done so. And quarterback Josh Woodrum is completing a decent 63.5 percent of his passes for the season.
But overall, production is lacking. For the season, the Stallions are averaging just over 16 points and 254 total yards per game, spoiling the work of a Salt Lake defense that held the Apollos to a season-low 20 points in the snowy home opener at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Stallions coach Dennis Erickson says the Stallions’ primary offensive culprit is first down, and the lack of production there. It was a killer in the red zone against Orlando.
“A couple times we ended up being second and long, or third and long, and then we’re fourth and one and we miss an assignment. A guy comes through and hits us for a loss. Just a lot of mental mistakes probably more than anything. We’ve got to look and see what we’re doing. I think we’re doing the right things, it’s just a matter of executing.”
SALT LAKE STALLIONS AT SAN DIEGO FLEET
When • Saturday, 6 p.m. MST
TV • NFL Network
The Stallions’ rushing defense is No. 1 in the Alliance with 96 rushing yards allowed per game, though they had pass rush and coverage issues against the Apollos.
Stallions linebacker Greer Martini was the brightest light in that effort, led the day with two quarterback hits, two tackles for loss, nine total tackles and one pass defended. For the season, Stallions defensive end Karter Schult is No. 1 in the Alliance in sacks (4) and has 13 total tackles.
The Fleet (2-2) are coming off of a 26-23 loss to the Memphis Express.
San Diego has turned the quarterback reins back over to Mike Bercovici after Philip Nelson broke his collarbone last week in Memphis. Bercovici last started in Week 1 against the San Antonio Commanders and struggled behind an offensive line that was still trying to find its footing, allowing six sacks.