Game Preview: Wyoming at Tri-Cities
May 23, 2014 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Tri-Cities Fever News Release
After two big road wins, the Tri-Cities Fever returns homeÃÂ SaturdayÃÂ night needing yet another win to keep its playoff hopes alive.
Tri-Cities, after its slow start to the season, has won four of its last five games and trail second-place Colorado by 2.5 games with three games left in the regular season.
The two teams meet in the regular season finale, and it could be for the second and final playoff spot in the Intense Conference. However, the Fever needs to take care of business first against Wyoming (1-10)ÃÂ on SaturdayÃÂ night. Kickoff isÃÂ 7:05 p.m.ÃÂ Tri-Cities is also going to need some help from some of Colorado's opponents the rest of the way.
Tri-Cities must win out. That includes its next two games against Wyoming and one against the Ice.
Colorado (8-3) picked up a huge 41-28 win over Nebraska (9-3)ÃÂ on ThursdayÃÂ night. ÃÂ The Ice needs to win just one of its final three games to clinch a playoff spot. Colorado is at WyomingÃÂ next FridayÃÂ night, then hosts Green Bay (0-10) before closing out the season in Kennewick.
But instead of worrying about what Colorado can or cannot do down the stretch, the Fever wants to keep rolling. Tri-Cities is one of the hottest teams in the Indoor Football League throughout the second half of the season. Because of the slow start, the Fever can finish, at best 8-6. So, what's its goal? To finish 8-6.
Fever returns home looking for third straight win
While the schedule looks favorable with two games against Wyoming, the Cavalry have played the Fever tough under former Fever defensive coordinator Ryan Lingenfelder. The Cavalry has won just two games the past two seasons, one of those wins was against the Fever.
Wyoming got its lone win of 2013 over the Fever onÃÂ April 5ÃÂ of last year, holding on for a 36-34 win. Tri-Cities won the other three meetings last season, and is 1-0 against Wyoming this season.
The Fever opened the 2014 season with an impressive 69-26 win over the Cavalry at the Toyota Center. After four straight losses, the Fever has won four of its last five games and with a winÃÂ SaturdayÃÂ night will get back to .500 mark on the season.
Tri-Cities is coming off an impressive 55-34 road win over Texas, led by quarterback Houston LIllard and Harold Love on defense.
Lillard threw five touchdowns and ran for two more in the win, while Love had two tackles-for-loss and two sacks.
Wyoming is coming off a big 73-12 loss to Colorado.
-- The Fever ranks third in the league in scoring offense at 50.5 points per game, Wyoming is last at 31.6 points per game ... Tri-Cities is allowing 52.1 points per game, seventh in the IFL, Wyoming is allowing a league-worst 64 ppg ... The Fever ranks sixth in total offense (240.1 ypg), Wyoming is last at 189.2 ypg ... Tri-Cities ranks second in total offensive TDs (70), Wyoming is last (45) ... The Fever ranks second in pass efficiency at 104.6, trailing only Sioux Falls (104.8) ... Lillard ranks fourth in the league in passing yards with 1,364, completions (134), and TDs (29( in just seven games ... Jackie Chambers is sixth in receiving TDs with 11 ... Brady Beeson is third in field goals made with 14 ... Lionell Singleton ranks sixth in total tackles with 62.5. 9-222-2214
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