EDMONTON - In a battle of two of the top 10 teams in the nation, and the top two offences in U SPORTS, the No. 9 Alberta Golden Bears host the No. 2 Saskatchewan Huskies on Friday night at Foote Field. 

Alberta (2-1) rode a dominant first half to a 34-23 win over Calgary in Week 3, a half that saw them outscore the Dinos 33-8. Bears second-year QB Eli Hetlinger had another phenomenal start, throwing for 348 yards and two touchdowns without turning the ball over. He was also Alberta's leading rusher on the day, going for 44 yards and a touchdown on just six attempts. Kolby Hurford and second-year wideout Chevy Thomas both had a day, going for 166 yards and two touchdowns combined. The defence also dazzled with Jassen Brown leading the way with a team-high nine tackles and 1.5 sacks.

The U SPORTS #2 ranked Saskatchewan Huskies (3-0) played the game of the week against the Regina Rams (2-1) that resulted in an 11-10 Huskie win on a last-second field goal from fifth-year kicker David Solie. Apart from a second quarter safety, Solie accounted for all Saskatchewan points on the night. The game was a defensive slugfest, with the teams combining for three forced fumbles and an interception. Huskies fifth-year defensive back Katley Joseph impressed with 6.5 tackles and forced a fumble.
GAME INFORMATION

Golden Bears Football (2-1 Conference, 3-1 Overall)
Conference
Friday, September 23
Alberta vs Saskatchewan Huskies (3-0), Foote Field, 7:00 p.m. MT
 

WEEK 4 GAME NOTES

 

LIVE STATS

 

WEBCAST

1972 RECOGNITION

2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the Golden Bears winning the 1972 Vanier Cup in Toronto. The Golden Bears went 8-1 in 1972, including a 20-7 win over the Waterloo Lutheran Golden Hawks in the Vanier Cup. 

Members of the 1972 Golden Bears Football team will be in attendance on Friday night, and will be recognized pre-game for their accomplishments. Among those in attendance will be assistant coaches Garry Smith and Bob Bennett, who will join the officials for the pre-game coin toss. 

HEADLINES

• Friday will mark the first meeting between the Bears and Huskies when both were ranked nationally since October 21, 2006. 
• The squads met up last season in Saskatoon which saw a big 54-27 Huskie win.
• The Huskies have not travelled to Foote Field since 2019, a September game that saw the Bears walk away with a 19-17 victory.
• Saskatchewan holds the all-time matchup lead over the Golden Bears with a 46-64-1 record dating back to 1968.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Alberta: R Kolby Hurford (#88) - The second-year Sherwood Park product has taken the conference by storm in the first three games, leading the league in receiving yards (327) and touchdowns (5). It is clear that Hurford and Bears QB Hetlinger have found a great chemistry, and the receiver will play a big role in counteracting a Huskie defence that ranks first in the CW in passing yards against/game (189.7).

Saskatchewan: QB Mason Nyhus (#8) - The fifth-year standout is in the midst of another phenomenal season under centre for the Huskies. He currently ranks first in all of U SPORTS in passing yards/game (349.7) and second in touchdowns (7). Even with last week's struggles, the Saskatchewan offence is still second in the Canada West in points per game (28.0) and Nyhus will be at the heart of everything good for them when they take the field in Edmonton Friday night.