Golden Bears break-out in Stevenson Bone’s first win as HC

The University of Alberta Golden Bears finally showed the type of football they’ve been building toward all season, exploding for 500 yards of offense and earning their first victory of the year in a 38-18 statement win over the University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds Friday night at Foote Field.

It was a breakthrough in more ways than one. The win marks the first of Stevenson Bone‘s career as head coach, and it came multifacetedly: dominant offence, timely defense, and a swagger that had been missing throughout the first four weeks. Alberta now sits at 1-4, but suddenly the Bears look alive in the playoff race.

Reider seizes first start

The biggest storyline of the night came under centre. Fourth-year quarterback Trey Reider got the nod in place of Eli Hetlinger, who had started all year to this point. The decision raised some eyebrows, given Alberta’s passing offence hadn’t necessarily been sputtering, but Bone’s call paid off. Reider turned in the best quarterback performance the Bears have had all season, completing 20 of 27 passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns. He looked confident and decisive, spreading the ball around and consistently keeping the Thunderbirds off balance.

Reider’s dual-threat running ability gave the offense a third dimension, which opened up the defense and resulted in a more efficient running offense. He only rushed the ball four times, however his long roll-outs behind the line of scrimmage demanded that the defense respect his ground ability. His ability to extend plays that would otherwise be dead was evident in this game.

Hetlinger still made his mark, punching in a short-yardage touchdown in the first half and even tossing a late 21-yard trick-play touchdown. But make no mistake, this was Reider’s night, and potentially the moment he cemented himself as Alberta’s starter moving forward. 

Kettyle does it all

If Reider was the steady hand, Carter Kettyle was the firework show. The fourth-year receiver put on a clinic, finishing with nine catches for 114 yards and two receiving touchdowns. He even added a passing major of his own, dialing up a perfect 37-yard strike to Chevy Thomas on a reverse pass in the third quarter that blew the game wide open.

It was the kind of game that makes it impossible to keep Kettyle’s name out of highlight reels. Time and again, he found separation, made tough grabs, and provided the kind of versatility that every coach dreams about. On a night where Alberta needed a star to rise, Kettyle more than delivered.

Thomas wasn’t far behind, adding 112 yards and a touchdown on just five receptions. Together, the duo gave Reider a lethal one-two punch that UBC simply couldn’t contain.

Bone uses the whole playbook

For head coach Stevenson Bone, Friday’s game was about more than just a number in the win column. It was about identity. Bone, an offensive-minded former-quarterback, let his creativity shine with multiple trick plays, including touchdowns thrown by not just Reider, but also Kettyle and Hetlinger. Rookie offensive lineman Adam Dahoy even got in on the fun, catching Hetlinger’s late touchdown for his first career reception.

It was clear that Alberta wasn’t just playing to survive, they were playing to send a message. With Bone’s playbook finally opening up, the Bears scored their most points in a single game this year, and their attack looked unpredictable for the first time all season. 

Defence finally clicks

The offense stole the show, however, the defensive performance was easily the Bears’ most complete defensive effort of the season. Alberta held UBC under 20 points for only the second time this year and allowed just 82 rushing yards: the fewest they’ve surrendered all season. Running back Toluwalope Ayedegbe was bottled up after a fast start, finishing with 80 yards on 17 carries but finding little room in the second half.

The pass rush also came alive, with Emerson Joy and Dayton Ingenhaag each recording a sack. The front seven looked disciplined and physical, forcing UBC into third-and-long situations and keeping quarterback Drew Viotto under constant pressure. For a unit that has struggled with consistency, this felt like a breakthrough game.

Oshinubi leads the ground game

On the ground, Ope Oshinubi was named the starting back and rewarded the team with 66 yards on 14 carries. Rookie Seth Poelzer, who had impressed in earlier weeks, added 55 yards on 10 attempts, giving Alberta a balanced and effective rushing attack. Together, they helped control the clock during efficient drives, resulting in Alberta racking up 35 minutes of possession.

The Bears are back

When the final whistle blew, there was no mistaking the feeling at Foote Field: this was more than just a win. It was a breakthrough. Alberta is ready to become a competitor in Canada West, and this could mark the beginning of a playoff push.

Alberta’s 1-4 record still leaves them in last place in the division, but Friday’s win brought them within reach of a playoff spot. With Saskatchewan up next, the Bears will look to prove that this wasn’t just a fluke. 

For now, the story is simple: the Bears are back, and they’ve finally found their bite.