SASKATOON - Leading 30-14 early in the fourth quarter, Alberta concedes 19 unanswered points to Saskatchewan in a 33-30 loss at Griffiths Stadium.
The Golden Bears mustered just 44 offensive yards in the fourth quarter on five offensive possessions, with 34 of those yards coming on the final drive after falling behind by three. Jonathan Giustini's 51-yard field goal attempt with 13 seconds left came up short. Back-to-back Lukas Scott field goals in the final 2:47 first tied the game for the Huskies, and gave them the three-point lead with 54 seconds left.
The win sees the Huskies (2-3) leapfrog Alberta (2-3) in the Canada West standings.
Saskatchewan was boosted by a stalled Bears offence in the final quarter, as well as terrific starting field position. The Huskies scored on four of their five possessions in the fourth, with two of their drives starting in Alberta territory.
The final 13 minutes was a stark contrast to the opening half, which saw Alberta move the ball at will on offence. Eli Hetlinger finished the game with 230 yards passing for the Bears and three touchdowns, two of which went to Erik Torjhelm in the second quarter. Trailing 7-2 in the first, the Bears outscored Saskatchewan 28-7 during the middle three quarters to earn a 30-14 lead. Torjhelm produced his best game as a Golden Bear, finishing with seven receptions for 123 yards and two majors.
Matthew Peterson rushed for 88 yards on 17 carries for a Bears team that was out-rushed for the first time this season. Huskies RB Ryker Frank was terrific, rushing for 185 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries, adding two receptions as well. Saskatchewan finished Friday night's win with 450 yards of offence, 215 of which came on the ground.
It was a 52-yard Frank rush early in the fourth quarter that seemed to spark the Huskies comeback, with the UofS tailback punching in a seven-yard TD moments later to cut into the Alberta lead. Anton Amundrud threw for 235 yards in the win, including a 10-yard touchdown strike to Ercy Avul with five minutes remaining. Two sucsessful field goals from Scott gave the Huskies thier first lead since the second quarter, a lead they would not relinquish.
Alberta will return to action next Friday, as the host the UBC Thunderbirds at Foote Field.
