Game Teaser: Home Opener vs Fever

The Teams: Tri-Cities Fever (0-2) at Boise Burn (1-1), 7:10 PM Saturday, Qwest Arena Last Week: Boise rallied from a 30-point deficit to beat Stockton on the road, 51-43. After spotting the Lightning a 30-0 lead in the 2nd quarter, the Burn defense tightened up and the offense provided 4 rushing touchdowns to cap the wild comeback. Tri-Cities fell at home, 55-51, to Spokane. Common Opponents: Stockton. Boise beat the Lightning last week, Tri-Cities lost to them at home, 46-32, in Week 1. af2 Honors: Boise FB/LB Chris Bruhn was named the ADT Defensive Player of the Week for his performance last weekend in Stockton. The former Washington State Cougar returned an interception for a touchdown and picked up a sack to spearhead the defensive assault that stymied Stockton for the last 3 quarters of the game. Get to Know: WRs Phil Goodman and JR Thomas. They form one of the top tandems of receivers in the league, combining for 225 receptions, 2,838 yards, and 59 touchdowns last season. The guy who could be throwing the passes to them is Jason Campbell, who opened training camp with the Burn before being dealt to the Fever. Campbell injured his ankle last week against Spokane, so his gametime status is still uncertain. Welcome home? almost: Goodman committed to Boise State out of junior college in 2003 before changing his mind and attending Temple, citing a desire to play in the Big East Conference. This will be his second trip to Boise, catching 15 passes for 149 yards as a member of the now-defunct Everett Hawks in last year?s home opener. Welcome to town: Former Michigan State defensive back Demond Williams. He was a 2-year starter at cornerback for the Spartans in 2005-06 and led the Big Ten in kickoff return yards (690) during his senior season. He?s expected to make his Burn debut on Saturday. Football Weather: Thankfully, Saturday?s game will be played indoors. The expected high in Boise is only in the low 40s, nearly 20 degrees below normal, with a chance of rain. What they're saying... "One year ago the Boise Burn played their first home game in franchise history with a celebrated local quarterback, Bart Hendricks, at the helm. Now Hendricks has moved on in his life, and a less celebrated local quarterback will start in the Burn?s home opener Saturday night against the Tri-Cities Fever. Royal Gill, the Eagle High grad who became a journeyman in college, gets to enjoy the Qwest Arena spotlight. After posting huge numbers as a Mustang, Gill started his college career at Division I-AA Stephen F. Austin. He went from there to Pima Community College to New Mexico State, returning to Bronco Stadium in 2005 but not playing due to injury. Gill then transferred to Southern Utah before it was determined he was out of eligibility." (Scott Slant)