Box Score The University of Alberta Golden Bears football stalled out in their final game at home in the 2012 season, as they dropped a 27-10 decision to the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Saturday afternoon at Foote Field.

With the loss the Golden Bears remain winless on the season, but they can get their first next weekend when they close out the regular season at Regina against the Rams. Saskatchewan, meanwhile, clinched a 12th consecutive playoff berth with the win, and coupled with the UBC Thunderbirds loss to Manitoba, also on Saturday, the Huskies will likely finish third in Canada West and travel to Regina in the opening round of the playoffs. Manitoba has earned the final post-season berth in Canada West, and will likely travel to Calgary for the first round. Both Alberta and UBC will miss the playoffs this season.

Alberta’s lone touchdown on Saturday was recorded by sophomore receiver Dillon Prince who was making his return after missing the previous three games due to injury. He finished with five catches for 70 yards. Quarterback Curtis Dell, who had to deal with relentless pressure from the Huskies defensive line, completed 20 of 43 passes for 174 yards, with one TD, three interceptions and two sacks. The Bears young and inexperienced offensive line had to press a back-up defensive lineman into service in the second half due to injuries.

Saskatchewan QB Chase Bradshaw, starting in place of Drew Burko, tossed three touchdown passes while completing 17 of 28 passes for 230 yards, and with one INT. Speedy receiver Kit Hillis, the Canada West leader in receiving yards, caught seven balls for 111 yards and one TD, while Charlie Power and running-back Shane Buchanan also caught a TD pass each. Buchanan also picked up 61 rushing yards.

The game certainly wasn’t a pretty one by either team, but effective nonetheless for the visiting Huskies. They scored 17 points in the first half off Alberta turnovers, and once the second half rolled around, they simply had to keep Alberta out of the end zone to secure the win.

Saskatchewan got on the scoreboard on their second offensive possession, after taking over on downs when Golden Bears’ freshman punter Stephan Fabian received a wobbly snap and had to rush the ball, but was stopped at his own 15-yard line. Although Alberta’s defence did a masterful job keeping Saskatchewan out of the end zone, Huskies kicker Denton Kolodzinski put a 19-yard field goal attempt through the uprights for the 3-0 lead.

After going two-and-out on their next possession, the Golden Bears’ offence was gifted an opportunity when fifth-year linebacker Ryan Dean recovered a fumble, forced by Duncan Morris, and rumbled 80-yards to the Saskatchewan 24-yard line. Although they couldn’t get into the end zone themselves, Fabian did nail a 27-yard field goal to tie the game.

A fumble by the Bears at the end of the first quarter gave Bradshaw and the Huskies offence the ball at the Alberta 43 to start the second quarter, and from there they completed four plays including a nine-yard TD pass to Buchanan.

They then converted another recovered fumble into a touchdown in the second quarter when Bradshaw hit Power from 17-yards out for the receiver’s first TD catch, which capped off a three-play 22-yard drive.

But, with two minutes left in the half, the Golden Bears offence put together a nice looking drive as they rattled off six plays for 77-yards culminating with Dell connecting with Prince for a 10-yard catch-and-run scoring play.

Kolodzinski put Saskatchewan up 20-10 with a third quarter field goal, and then Huskies put the nail in the coffin when Hillis danced 26-yards into the Alberta end zone for the 27-10 lead.

Fifth-year Saskatchewan safety Bryce McCall tied a CIS, Canada West and Huskie record in the third quarter when he intercepted a Curtis Dell pass for his 21st career interception. With one game remaining, the veteran defensive back can become the all-time CIS leader in interceptions with just one more.

And McCall wasn’t the only fifth-year to have a memorable individual game as Alberta linebacker Ryan Dean led his team in tackles with 7.5, and forced one fumble and recovered two more, including the 80-yard return, to record his best game as a Golden Bear in what was final appearance at Foote Field. Brent Krawchuk, another fifth-year Golden Bear, also had a strong game recording the ninth interception of his career and fourth this season.

The Golden Bears now go in search of the first win of the season when they travel to Regina next Friday to take on the Rams.