Game Preview: Tri-Cities at Boise

Matchup: Tri-Cities Fever (1-6) at Boise Burn (4-2). Saturday, 7:10 PM at Qwest Arena. Last Time: Boise?s defense dominated the Fever, intercepting five passes and returning two for scores, in a season-opening, 48-15 victory in Kennewick, WA. Last Week: Boise went toe-to-toe with league power Spokane on the road, falling by two in a wildly entertaining game in the Lilac City. Tri-Cities picked up their first win, rallying from 19 points down in the fourth quarter to defeat Stockton at home. Get to know? The Tri-Cities Fever. A lot of things about this team have changed since March 27, when Boise thumped the Fever. The coach (was Richard Davis, now Pat O?Hara), the quarterback (was Joe Ayoob, now Ryan Porter), the receivers (was Nakoa McElrath/Phil Goodman, now Tremaine Kirkland, Chase Reed, and Finas Rabb). Most aspects of this team have seen a major shakeup since O?Hara took over. In fact, just seven players have appeared in all seven games for the Fever. Heating up: Rookie QB Taylor Tharp has really found a groove the past two weeks, combining to complete 44-of-56 passes for over 500 yards and 15 touchdowns against just two interceptions. For the season, the former Boise State signalcaller is up to 27 scoring tosses. Speaking of heating up: WR Nichiren Flowers has found a nice rhythm with Tharp. In the past three games, the former Nevada Wolfpack standout has grabbed 18 passes for 329 yards and nine scores. Exactly half of his 28 receptions have gone for touchdowns this season.