The summer of blockbusters will have another addition on Friday night, as the 2024 Canada West Football season opens with a bang. Following a dramatic Hardy Cup clash between Alberta and UBC last November — won 28-27 by the Thunderbirds in heartbreaking fashion — the two rivals will meet in Vancouver in Week 1.

For the first time in the Chris Morris era, the Golden Bears enter the season ranked atop the conference coaches poll, earning four of six first place votes. The defending conference champion Thunderbirds slot in second, ahead of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. 

With a number of key returning players on both sides of the ball, the Golden Bears have high hopes as they pursue their first Hardy Cup title since 1981. Expect a dynamic Bears offence to be a handful for opposing defences, led by star running back Matthew Peterson. The Hamilton Tiger Cats draft pick led the conference with 1,142 rushing yards and 1,297 all-purpose yards in 2023, en route to being named Canada West's Player of the Year. Behind a talented offensive line, Peterson, QB Eli Hetlinger, and receivers Chevy Thomas and Kolby Hurford should be in line for another productive season.

"[We have] a good number of returning players in 2024 as do many other programs in Canada West," said Morris. "This season is, once again, going to be a dog fight to see which four teams qualify for the playoffs."

On the other side of the ball, U SPORTS All-Canadian safety Jonathan Giustini and East-West Bowl participant Chase Tataryn anchor a dynamic Bears defence. Giustini is coming off a season in which he led Canada West in points (95), field goals (22), and interceptions (4), setting a new Golden Bears career record for points, entering 2024 with 270. 

Peterson, Giustini, offensive lineman Daniel Shin, and halfback Tyshon Blackburn were all selected in the 2024 CFL Draft, with all but Blackburn returning to the collegiate ranks this fall. 

Top recruits for Morris and the Bears include defensive lineman Emerson Joy (Calgary), offensive lineman Kyle Magnien (Regina), defensive back Mackale Neba (Grande Prairie) and linebacker Liam O'Flynn (Kelowna).

The eight-game CW regular season runs through October 26th, with semifinal playoff games set for November 2nd. The 87th edition of the Hardy Cup will take place November 9th, hosted at the highest finishing seed. Queen's University will host their second-straight Vanier Cup on November 23rd.

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Canada West Coaches Poll
Team - Points (First-place votes)
1. ? Alberta Golden Bears - 24 (4)
2. UBC Thunderbirds - 22 (2)
3. Manitoba Bisons - 16
4. Saskatchewan Huskies - 14
T5. Regina Rams - 7
T5. Calgary Dinos - 7

BEARS SEASON PREVIEW

2023 CW regular season record: /6-2/, 2nd  
2023 post-season record: /1-1/,W vs SSK in Seminal, Loss vs UBC in Hardy Cup
 
Last Hardy Cup championship / total Hardy Cup championships: 1981 / 16
Last Vanier Cup championship / total Vanier Cup championships: 1980 / 3
 
2023 CW regular season ranks:
Points for: 30.9 PPG, 2nd 
Total offence: 476.0 YPG, 2nd
Points against: 24.5, 3rd
Total defence: 394.8 YPG, 3rd 
 
2023 CW regular season leaders: (Bold – Returning)
Passing yards: 1,956 - Eli Hetlinger, QB
Rushing yards: 1,142 – Matthew Peterson, RB
Receiving yards: 498 – Carter Kettyle, REC
All-purpose yards: 1,297 – Matthew Peterson, RB
Tackles: 51.5 – Chase Tataryn, LB
Sacks: 2.5 – Chase Tataryn, LB
Interceptions: 4 – Jonathan Giustini, DB
  
Key offensive performer:
Matthew Peterson
RB
5th Year
Hometown: Rock Island, Illinois

Coming off one of the most dominant seasons in program history, 2023 Canada West MVP Matthew Peterson returns for a fifth and final season with the Golden Bears. A 2024 Hamilton Tiger Cats draft pick, Peterson led the conference with 1,142 rushing yards and 1,297 all-purpose yards last season. Behind a talented offensive line, he will be in line for another productive season.
 
Key defensive performer:
Jonathan Giustini
DB/K
5th Year
Hometown: Calgary, Alta.

One of the most versatile and talented players in the nation, U SPORTS All-Canadian Jonathan Giustini returns to anchor the Golden Bears defence. The fifth-year safety led Canada West in points (95), field goals (22), and interceptions (4) in 2023, and should produce another monster season this fall.