FB: Bears stun Rams with fourth-quarter comeback win
October 30, 2021
EDMONTON - The Alberta Golden Bears erased a 17-point fourth quarter deficit, storming back to earn a thrilling 23-22 win over the Regina Rams, Saturday afternoon at Foote Field.
Tyson Krushelniski scored a defensive touchdown with just 1:58 remaining in the fourth, before a successful onside kick set up the Bears game-winning Jonathan Giustini field goal with just 1:02 remaining. Krushelniski recovered the fumble coughed up by Ram Emmett Steadman in the Regina end zone off a missed Bears field goal, taking it back one yard for the defensive score.
Regina kicker Aldo Galvan missed a 37-yard field goal with no time remaining, with Sony Bermudez-Chavez returning the ball out of the end zone to secure the Bears comeback win.
"Incredibly proud of the guys for the way they kept fighting," said Bears head coach Chris Morris. "It was unbelievable, really. There were so many things that went against us throughout the whole game. That's a huge character win for us; that's probably the best win we have had since I've been the head coach here."
Alberta now improves to 3-2 in conference play with their second-straight win, while Regina falls to 1-4 this season.
Brad Launhardt completed 21 of his 40 pass attempts for 236 yards and one touchdown, with Chevy Thomas hauling in seven catches for 108 yards and the lone Bears offensive touchdown in the fourth. Canada West tackles leader Josiah Schakel finished with a game-high nine solo stops, adding a pair of sacks and two forced fumbles in the win.
"Chevy is an unbelievable player" continued Morris. "It's his first year of eligibility, he's going to be a star in this league for a long time. We have a great young group of kids here."
Rams QB Bryden O'Flaherty threw for 155 yards on 15/29 passing, with both starting QB's tossing one pick on Saturday. Kyle Borsa was excellent for Regina, rushing for 113 yards on 19 carries, adding a pair of receptions.
O'Flaherty and the Rams took advantage of an early Bears turnover, as D'Sean Mimbs scored on a 19-yard touchdown reception, giving the visitors and early 7-0 lead.
Galvan recorded a pair of field goals in the second quarter, to match the one from Giustini, as Regina held a 13-3 lead entering the break. Neither offence was able to muster any sustained drives in the opening half, with the two teams combining for just 297 yards of total offence.
The Rams added to their lead in the third, with Galvan hitting two more field goals, with his fifth made field goal early in the fourth giving Regina a 22-5 lead.
Thomas and the Bears cut into the Regina lead with a 30-yard pass and run touchdown with 9:15 left in the fourth, with Alberta trailing 22-12.
Following an eight-play, 48-yard Alberta drive, Giustini missed a 39-yarder with 1:58 left, with Steadman booting the missed kick to his own goal line. Krushelniski grabbed the loose ball and returned it for the Bears touchdown.
Ronnie Oling was able to get a hand on the Giustini on-side kick along the Bears sideline, giving Alberta the ball back at the Rams 45-yard line, setting up the Giustini 17-yard go-ahead field goal.
The Bears will look for a third-straight win next weekend, when they visit the 2-3 UBC Thunderbirds. Regina will host the 3-2 Manitoba Bisons in their final game of the 2021 season.
Tyson Krushelniski scored a defensive touchdown with just 1:58 remaining in the fourth, before a successful onside kick set up the Bears game-winning Jonathan Giustini field goal with just 1:02 remaining. Krushelniski recovered the fumble coughed up by Ram Emmett Steadman in the Regina end zone off a missed Bears field goal, taking it back one yard for the defensive score.
Regina kicker Aldo Galvan missed a 37-yard field goal with no time remaining, with Sony Bermudez-Chavez returning the ball out of the end zone to secure the Bears comeback win.
"Incredibly proud of the guys for the way they kept fighting," said Bears head coach Chris Morris. "It was unbelievable, really. There were so many things that went against us throughout the whole game. That's a huge character win for us; that's probably the best win we have had since I've been the head coach here."
Alberta now improves to 3-2 in conference play with their second-straight win, while Regina falls to 1-4 this season.
Brad Launhardt completed 21 of his 40 pass attempts for 236 yards and one touchdown, with Chevy Thomas hauling in seven catches for 108 yards and the lone Bears offensive touchdown in the fourth. Canada West tackles leader Josiah Schakel finished with a game-high nine solo stops, adding a pair of sacks and two forced fumbles in the win.
"Chevy is an unbelievable player" continued Morris. "It's his first year of eligibility, he's going to be a star in this league for a long time. We have a great young group of kids here."
Rams QB Bryden O'Flaherty threw for 155 yards on 15/29 passing, with both starting QB's tossing one pick on Saturday. Kyle Borsa was excellent for Regina, rushing for 113 yards on 19 carries, adding a pair of receptions.
O'Flaherty and the Rams took advantage of an early Bears turnover, as D'Sean Mimbs scored on a 19-yard touchdown reception, giving the visitors and early 7-0 lead.
Galvan recorded a pair of field goals in the second quarter, to match the one from Giustini, as Regina held a 13-3 lead entering the break. Neither offence was able to muster any sustained drives in the opening half, with the two teams combining for just 297 yards of total offence.
The Rams added to their lead in the third, with Galvan hitting two more field goals, with his fifth made field goal early in the fourth giving Regina a 22-5 lead.
Thomas and the Bears cut into the Regina lead with a 30-yard pass and run touchdown with 9:15 left in the fourth, with Alberta trailing 22-12.
Following an eight-play, 48-yard Alberta drive, Giustini missed a 39-yarder with 1:58 left, with Steadman booting the missed kick to his own goal line. Krushelniski grabbed the loose ball and returned it for the Bears touchdown.
Ronnie Oling was able to get a hand on the Giustini on-side kick along the Bears sideline, giving Alberta the ball back at the Rams 45-yard line, setting up the Giustini 17-yard go-ahead field goal.
The Bears will look for a third-straight win next weekend, when they visit the 2-3 UBC Thunderbirds. Regina will host the 3-2 Manitoba Bisons in their final game of the 2021 season.