The Alberta Golden Bears came painfully close to pulling off one of their biggest wins of the season against the Regina Rams in Foote field last Saturday but a late-game fumble unfortunately pushed them further down the Can West rankings.
Despite briefly coming back and taking a slim one-point lead in the second half, Alberta fell 22–20 to the Regina Rams in the last minutes of their final home game after the Rams levelled the scoreboard in their favour with field goal that was scored late in the fourth quarter. This bitter loss has severely narrowed Alberta's chances at making the Canada West playoffs.
Despite the loss, the Bears' secondary delivered an impressive run game defence against Regina. Their defence came out sharp and fearless against the defending Hardy Cup champions, a team that likely underestimated an Alberta squad currently known for having the worst run defence in the country.
However, this time, the Bears flipped the script. The Bears defence was relentless with tight coverage, strong tackling, and visible chemistry from a unit that’s come a long way since August.
The Bears had to make a significant substitution to their offensive leadership after starting quarterback Trey Reider was injured in the first half after taking a big hit from the opposition. Alberta coped by bringing senior quarterback Eli Hetlinger back into the pocket to take over for Reider for the rest of the game.
In a post game interview with OB.SESSED, head coach Stevenson Bone emphasized his pride in Hetlinger and that he had told the veteran quarterback that despite the midway season change that saw Reider take over as QB1 from Hetlinger—that they would still need to rely on him down the line.
"We told [Eli] that we'd have to rely on him. Could be down the stretch. We never knew when that would be, and that was part of the difficult conversation when we did move to Reider as the starter."
Regina Rams head coach Mark McConkey also spoke with OB.SESSED in a post game interview about decisions he has also has to make regarding who use as the starting quarterback for the Rams.
Regina started quarterback Owen Sieben against Alberta after Noah Pelletier has been at the helm of the offensive unit since Sibien's injury last season.
"It was a decision that was made about two hours before the game," Coach McConkey said."We kind of played two quarterbacks for those last two games, and ultimately, we felt that when Owen was in there we just had more energy, a little bit more effective on offense.
The Bigger Picture
The loss drops Alberta into a interesting position heading into the final week of the regular season. To have any chance at a playoff spot, the Bears must win their final game on the road against the Calgary Dinos, and hope that both UBC loses to Regina.
That combination could create a three way tiebreaker scenario between UBC, Calgary and Alberta where all three teams finish the regular season with a 2-6 record—one that might just open a playoff door for Alberta if the momentum swings in their direction.
Still, the odds are incredibly steep for the Can West underdogs . The Rams’ comeback win leaves the Bears on the brink, their postseason hopes now dependent not just on themselves, but on others.
A Farewell at Foote Field
Saturday’s loss also marked an emotional goodbye for several seniors who suited up at Foote Field for the last time. Among them were quarterback Eli Hetlinger, running back Ope Oshinubi, linebacker Chase Tataryn, receiver Kolby Hurford, and linebacker Dayton Ingenhaag—each closing a significant chapter in their collegiate football journeys.
For some, the next step could be heading over to the CFL or at least returning, as certain seniors returned to U SPORTS after being cut CFL rosters shortly after the draft.
For others, this game marked one of the last games of their competitive football careers. Either way, the seniors left behind a legacy and blueprint for their younger colleagues to follow as they graduate what Alberta football is becoming—gritty, disciplined, and quietly dangerous.
Signs of Growth
While the result of the game stings, it’s hard to overlook how far this young team has come. The defensive unit once criticized as the weakest in the nation against the run held its ground against the conference’s top offense.
The chemistry and grit is building, the energy is different, and under first-year head coach Stevenson Bone, the Bears are beginning to resemble a program that’s ready to turn the corner. Alberta has shown flashes of potential that show what the team is capable of and they are definitely capable of stopping one of the most seasoned offensive units in the country.
Even if the playoffs slip away, Alberta’s performance against Regina proved something important: the future is bright for the Bears at Foote Field and the 2026 Can West football season may see the teams' growing pains pay off.
The Golden Bears head to Calgary for one last regular season showdown against the Dinos on Saturday with kickoff at 1pm MDT.
The Regina Rams host the UBC Thunderbirds in their last home game and last regular game of the season in Regina on Saturday as well with kickoff at 2 pm MDT.