Wray Morrison

By Wray Morrison

Bears end 13-year Saskatoon drought

Golden Bears take early lead, then cling to four point victory

Sep 15, 2023 | 11:46 PM

For the first time since November of 2010, the University of Alberta Golden Bears football team registered a win at Griffiths Stadium. The Bears hung on for a 26-22 win over the Huskies at the U of S campus on Friday night.

Alberta quieted the Huskie faithful by jumping out a 20-0 first half lead. Dakota McKay caught a six-yard pass from Bear quarterback Eli Hetlinger in the first quarter to make it 10-0. Hetlinger then capped off a successful drive with a one-yard plunge early in the second quarter as the visitors took a 17-0 advantage.

It was Saskatchewan’s defense that put up the first points of the ball game. Corner back Finn Marcotte-Cribb returned an errand Hetlinger pass 45 yards for a touchdown with less than two minutes to go to in the second quarter to cut the Bear lead to 20-7. A short time later, Huskie defensive back Katley Joseph returned an interception to the Bear 7-yard line setting up the Huskies first offensive touchdown of the contest. Everett Iverson caught a 7-yard pass with 22 seconds left to go, and the score was 20-14 at the break.

Alberta put some key offensive drives together in the third quarter which allowed kicker Jonathan Giustini to punch through field goals from 9 and 47 yards. Giustini was 4 for 5 on the night. The Bears had a 26-16 lead going into the fourth quarter. Saskatchewan could only muster a rouge, a safety and a 37-yard field goal from David Solie in the fourth quarter to pull to within four points.

The Golden Bears’ offensive line was impressive against Saskatchewan’s interior. Hetlinger finished with 309 yards in passing. Alberta’s key weapon, running back Matt Peterson, had 280 all-purpose yards. (176 receiving/104 rushing)

Seth Hundeby

Going camping

Apr 30, 2025

Listen: A chat with Super Bowl Champ Luke Willson

Willson is ready for Dog's Breakfast

Apr 17, 2025

Listen: Huskie defensive coordinator Cody Halseth

Veteran coach moves in to new role with football team

Apr 08, 2025

Huskie quarterback, Anton Amundrud, who was the leading passer in the conference coming into week three, (352 yards/game) was held to just 266 yards through the air. Giustini and David Kolkman had interceptions for the Golden Bears. Alberta’s defense held the Huskies to less than 60 yards in rushing.

With the win, the Bears move to 3 and 0 on the season and visit the UBC Thunderbirds on Friday, September 22^nd. The Huskies, who fall to 2 and 1 with the loss, visit the Calgary Dinos next Friday. The game can be heard on the free HuskieFAN app, with the Elk Ridge Pre-Game Show starting at 5:45pm. Play-by-play with Rich Gabruch and Wray Morrison, powered by PlayNOW.com, starts at 6:00pm.

—

wray.morrison@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @wraymorrison