EDMONTON - Fresh off their first loss of 2023, the U SPORTS #9 ranked Golden Bears welcome the 1-3 Regina Rams at Foote Field on Friday night.
 
Alberta was unable to contain the high-flying UBC offence in Week 4, allowing over 650 yards in a 54-37 loss in Vancouver. The loss drops the Bears to 3-1, who maintain their hold on second in Canada West despite the loss.
 
The Bears have had no trouble on offence themselves this season, ranking second in CW in scoring, offensive yards, and passing yards, with their rushing attack ranking second in the nation to Western. Lacking so far for Alberta is game-changing plays on defence, with the Bears ranking fifth in sacks, fourth in interceptions, and third in fumble recoveries.
 
By comparison, Regina has struggled mightily offence this season, scoring just 15.8 points per contest. 24 of their 63 points came in a double overtime Week 4 loss to Manitoba. 

The Rams earned a victory in their only conference meeting against the Bears last season, picking up a 19-14 win in Week 5. That game marked the end of Eli Hetlinger's season, as he was knocked out in the third quarter. 

Golden Bears Football (3-1 Conference, 3-1 Overall)
Conference
Friday, September 29
Alberta vs Regina Rams (1-3), Foote Field, 7:00 p.m. MT

KEY STATS

• Hetlinger ranks second in Canada West with 1,178 passing yards, with his 294.5 yards per game ranking fifth in the nation. The Harry Ainlay product ranked third in U SPORTS last season in yards per game.
• The Alberta pivot has distrusted the ball well this season, with three receivers averaging over 60 yards per game.
• Fourth-year Bear Jonathan Giustini has moved into third on the Bears all-time scoring list with 224 career points. He trails record-holder Steve Kasowski (1984-89) by 27 points. Giustini is averaging 12.5 points per game at the halfway mark of 2023. He is also seven field goals back of Hugh O'Neill's (2007-10) record of 55.
• Fourth-year RB Matthew Peterson has gained 497 all-purpose yards over the last two games, including 200 rushing yards in the loss to UBC. Peterson set a program record with a 104-yard rush against Saskatchewan, before racing for a 95-yard rush the very next week. Peterson now owns two of the four longest runs in Bears history. 
• Peterson's 640 rush yards and 160.0 rush yards per game are both the highest in the nation.