EDMONTON - The Golden Bears had one job in Week 8 — beat the UBC Thunderbirds, which they did 15-12 at home on Saturday.

Step two in making the Canada West post-season required a Regina home win over Manitoba, which didn't go Alberta's way, with the Bisons clinching the #4 seed thanks to a 44-30 win. With Week 8 in the books, the CW playoff schedule is now set, with the 4-4 Bisons visiting the 7-1 Saskatchewan Huskies, and the 4-4 Thunderbirds visiting the 5-3 Rams. 

The Golden Bears controlled their fate going in to Week 7, but a 44-30 loss to the Bisons took away their control. Alberta finishes the season 3-5, with four of those losses totaling less than 14 points. 



Jonothan Giustini connected on a 28-yard field goal with 21 seconds left, which secured the Bears 15-12 win over UBC on Saturday at Foote Field. The Bears led 12-3 to start the fourth quarter, which saw UBC rally back to tie the game at 12's with 2:35 seconds remaining. 

Bears starting QB Luke Hornung completed just 2/9 passing for 15 yards and two interceptions, eventually making way for Jonathan Ericson. Ericson led the Bears on their game-winning drive in the fourth, finishing 5/14 for 150 yards and one touchdown. 

UBC backup Derek Engel was solid, completing 36 of his 51 passes for 330 yards and one major. Neither team ran the ball particularly well in windy conditions, as Alberta ran for 78 yards on 22 carries, compared to 82 on 22 for UBC. 

In a blustery first half, neither team generated much offence with Alberta holding a 5-0 lead through 30 minutes. Giustini connected from 11 yards for the only offensive score in the first half. 

After a UBC field goal midway through the third, Alberta found the end zone with no time left in the third quarter. Ericson found Ope Oshinubi on a screen pass, with the Bears RB taking the pass 37 yards for the major. 

Engel and UBC finally found their offensive stride late in the fourth, as Engel led the 'Birds on a 10-play, 79-yard TD drive. A 23-yard TD pass to Edgerrin Williams capped off the impressive drive which also featured a successful two-point conversion. Then on the ensuing kickoff, a rouge from kicker Kieran Flannery-Fleck knotted the score at 12-12.



The comeback bid for UBC unfortunately fell just short, as Alberta gained 27 yards during their final possession before Jonothan Giustini hit the winning field goal from 28 yards away.

Next weekend the UBC Thunderbirds will take to the road on Saturday, November 5th for the 2-3 Canada West playoff matchup against the Regina Rams.