The Alberta Golden Bears had a shaky start to the season. Between facing consistent losses and multiple injuries. The Bears clawed, fought, and came up short in key situations — always feeling like the game was within reach. However, last weekend at Foote Field, the story finally changed. Alberta earned its first win of the 2025 season — a breakthrough moment for a team that’s been tested by a huge roster turnover, a younger team and almost an entirely new coaching staff. Now the Bears pack their bags for Saskatoon to face on of their toughest opponents in Can West: Saskatchewan Huskies
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon, SK. where the Bears will enter as underdogs.
Head coach Stevenson Bone has been open about the grind this year, which has included balancing a young roster, experimenting with offensive side of the team, and building a new culture. The first win showed what’s possible when everything clicks. Bone’s squad looked steadier, sharper, and more resilient down the stretch. For a team that has lost multiple games narrowly, closing one out mattered.
Players to Watch
Trey Reider, QB – The 4th year CJFL alumni started over veteran Eli Hetlinger for the first time and helped lead Alberta to their first win of the season against UBC.
Ope Oshinubi & Seth Poelzer, RBs – A one-two punch with different running styles. Bone has stressed it’s “situational,” and against Saskatchewan’s run defense, both may see equal time on the field.
Carter Kettyle, WR – Explosive and reliable, Kettyle has become Alberta’s game breaking threat. After scoring a trifecta of touchdowns against UBC which included Kettyle throwing, running and passing to the end zone, his ability to stretch defenses could be the game changer.
Chevy Thomas, WR – The senior receiver is as a consistent target on deep passes and will be key at long yardage attempts.
- Emerson Joy, DL – His job will be to use his impressive size to disrupt Huskies quarterback Anton Amundrud and keep Saskatchewan from running away with the game.
The challenge for Alberta
Saskatchewan remains one of the toughest teams in the country, with Amundrud at the helm of offence, Ryker Frank pounding the run game, and a defense that thrives on size, physicality and pressure. After losing in to the Huskies narrowly in Week 1 at home 22-28, the Bears now have to prove that they can close the score gap and beat the number one program in Can West.
But the Bears don’t need perfection, they need self belief and apparently a lot of it. Head Coach Stevenson Bone has empathized the importance of getting the team to have more belief and morale in themselves. They’ve already shown they can hang with top programs when they get the chemistry tight. Now it’s about finishing, fighting for four full quarters, and proving that last week’s sweeping win against UBC wasn't a fluke.
The Underdog Story
Alberta knows the odds. They’re walking into a stadium where visiting teams rarely leave happy, given their track record as team this season. However, for a young group that has been learning under fire and on the fly, the chance to shock the conference and rewrite their story is right in front of them.
Kickoff is set for 7pm MDT at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon, SK.