EDMONTON - The deadly trio of explosive plays, timely turnovers, and a punishing ground game were enough to propel the Alberta Golden Bears to a 46-27 win over the Regina Rams on Friday night. 

The win for the U SPORTS #9 ranked Bears, coupled with UBC's loss to Saskatchewan, is enough for the Bears to once again jump into a tie for first place in Canada West with a 4-1 record. Regina falls to 1-4 in the loss. 

Despite finishing with 100 more offensive yards and 37:00 minutes of possession, Regina was undone by turnovers and a defence that couldn't slow down Matthew Peterson. The nation's leading rusher raced for 167 yards on just 11 carries, including two carries of over 70 yards, adding 47 receiving yards on two catches.

The biggest Peterson run came early in the third, as he broke a pair of tackles en route to a 75-yard score, giving Alberta a commanding 24-8 lead. 

Sophomore Bear Eli Hetlinger completed 75% of his passes for 182 yards, adding a touchdown through the air and on the ground. Jonathan Giustini added one field goal and six converts in the win, and now sits just 18 points back of breaking the Golden Bears all-time scoring record. 

Owen Sieben finished with 266 passing yards on 25/36 throwing, but threw a pair of costly interceptions, including one late in the first half that was returned 69 yards by Mack Bannatyne for an Alberta defensive TD. 

Dakota McKay was the recipient of Hetlinger's passing TD in the third quarter, with Carter Kettyle capping off the Bears win with a 54-yard kick return TD in the dying seconds off a failed Rams onside kick. Ope Oshinubi also scored for Alberta. 

The Rams finished with a season-high 36 first downs, but were unable to finish long drives with touchdowns. 

Noah Pelletier scored a pair of TD's for Regina, with the second coming with only 35 seconds left in the fourth quarter. D'Sean Mimbs scored the other Rams major. 

Following the conference's bye week, the Golden Bears will host the Saskatchewan Huskies with a home playoff game up for grabs. Regina will look to help their post-season chances in a meeting against the struggling Manitoba Bisons.