Fever Looks to get Back on Track by Melting Ice
April 11, 2014 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Tri-Cities Fever News Release
Tri-Cities Fever coach Adam Shackleford didn't mince words about what his team is facing in the coming weeks. It starts with a game at Colorado (3-2)ÃÂ on SundayÃÂ afternoon.
"It's a must-win," Shackleford said of his team that has dropped four straight games. "Both of our next two games are."
The Fever, since winning its season opener, has hit a rough patch as its offense has struggled to put points on the board with any sort of consistency, while having a tough time holding on to the football.
It has resulted in four straight losses, the latest a 63-43 loss to Cedar Rapids last Saturday night.
"We are going to make some changes, we need to get this turned around," Shackleford said.
One of the major changes was implemented last week with the signing of quarterback Houston Lillard in trying to jumpstart the offense. Lillard, who helped led the Fever to the 2011 and 2012 Indoor Football League championship games, made his return to the IFL after nearly 18 months.
He admitted after the game it took him while for him to get re-acclimated to the speed of the game, but Lillard said it eventually happened in the second half.
"It took me a while to get going," Lillard said.
And Shackleford knew it would. But what he saw in the second half of the Fever's loss to Cedar Rapids gave him hope that Lillard is the guy needed to turn the offense around.
In his first IFL game since the 2012 title game, Lillard completed 14 of 26 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns, both coming in the second half and both of 45 yards.
Once was to a familiar target in Tre Young, who returned to the Fever as well last weekend. He had three catches for 60 yards and the score in the loss.
"There was no way we had the illusion that Houston was going to come out here and look like he did in 2012," Shackleford said. "But I think he did a good job managing the game and started to get some rhythm in the second half."
Receivers also know that it will take a little time getting used to their new quarterback.
"It's just a matter of all of us getting on the same page," said Dejuan Miller.
While Shackleford knows the importance of the upcoming games, he, like his players, understand wholesale changes don't need to be made. It's a tweak here, s shift there, and some slight adjustments all-around.
But in the end, it's all fixable.
"It's not any one thing," Miller said. "It's just a lot of little things we need to fix and clean up."
Everyone is hoping that startsÃÂ SundayÃÂ night against rival Colorado.
Linebacker Boris Lee suffered a leg injury in the first quarter of the Fever loss to Cedar RapidsÃÂ on Saturday. He will not playÃÂ SundayÃÂ and his status for the coming weeks is in question ...The Fever ranks third in the league in points per game at 48.6, Colorado is fifth at 45.8 ...ÃÂ The Fever is second in the IFL in total offense at 253 yards per game, Colorado is fifth at 231 ... The Ice ranks third in total defense (215.2 ypg), while the Fever is sixth at 240.2 ... Ice QB Willie Copeland ranks second in the league in total offense at 194.6 yards per game and first in passing TDs with 19 ... Fever running back Keithon Flemming ranks third in the IFL in scoring at 44 points ... Flemming also ranks second in the league in yards per rush at 5.7 per carry.
For tickets to Saturday's game visit www.ticketmaster.com or the Toyota Center Box Office. For Season Flex Tickets call the Fever offices at 222-2215.
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Indoor Football League Stories from April 11, 2014
- Blizzard Re-Sign Two Players and Add Rookie - Green Bay Blizzard
- Axemen Set to Take on Cavalry - Minnesota Axemen
- Fever Looks to get Back on Track by Melting Ice - Tri-Cities Fever
- Axemen Sign Rookie of the Year - Minnesota Axemen
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