Coach Adam Shackleford made his first big roster move today, announcing that Andy Collins will start at quarterback in the Tri-Cities Fever season opener Monday against the Fairbanks Grizzlies.

Collins is an indoor football veteran and that ultimately swayed Shackleford's decision in choosing the Zillah native over rookie Houston Lillard.

"With just two weeks of camp, I think Andy gives us the best chance to be successful right now," Shackleford said. "But Andy knows that his is going to be pushed all season."

Last season, Collins played in four games for the Stockton Lightning of the arenafootball2 league before getting hurt. In his limited time, Collins threw for 931 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also ran 25 times for 161 yards and seven more touchdowns. The 161 yards rushing turned out to be a team-high for the Lightning.

Collins, who is a three-time Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year at Occidental College, split time with the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League and the Lightning in 2008.