Golden Bears back in action after mid-term break

The University of Alberta Golden Bears football team is getting back on the field after a week off to focus on studies.

The Golden Bears had been off since losing 34-16 two weeks ago, on the road, to the University of Calgary Dinos and will host the University of Regina Rams (1 p.m.) at Foote Field on Saturday.

“The break is good for school, because it’s mid-term time and the kids get a chance to focus on their studies,” said Golden Bears head coach Chris Morris. “We had our study hall going in full force and we had a bunch of stuff to help the kids get caught up in school.

“The break is good to get the kids back healthy too, because this time of year you get some guys that are kind of beat up. It was a good week for us.”

The break also allowed the Golden Bears to reflect on what has been an excellent season.

They are currently second in the Canada West standings with a 4-2 record and have not only clinched a playoff spot, but have an opportunity to host a playoff game.

Regina is fighting for a playoff spot with a 1-5 record.

The Golden Bears will conclude the regular season next weekend, on the road, against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.

“We had a good week of practice, the kids came back in a really good mindset,” Morris said. “Sometimes kids come back and they have a bit of a hangover, but we were pretty focused right when we got back.

“I think our kids kind of get it, they understand how good Regina is. Regina can very easily be in the same spot we’re in with four wins. They’ve lost some heartbreaking games and they have a real good team over there, particularly on defence, they’re very strong.”

The first time the teams met this season, the Golden Bears pulled out an 18-17 win in Regina.

The Golden Bears battled back from a 16-8 halftime deficit in a tight defensive battle.

“They could have won the game, they had a last-minute field goal they kicked and missed,” Morris said. “It was anybody’s game for sure. Every game they’ve played this year and every game we’ve played this year has been pretty much anybody’s game, so we don’t expect anything different in this one.”

The Golden Bears have been on the right side of a number of close games this season, which included a late touchdown completion to defeat the University of Manitoba and a last-second field goal to get past Saskatchewan.

“The kids are taking care of the little things and the little things all add up in the end to winning close games,” Morris said.

A win would not necessarily secure a home playoff game for the Golden Bears, but could possibly set up a showdown in the season finale with Saskatchewan for it. The Golden Bears have not hosted a Canada West playoff game since 2005.

“I think to get a home playoff game we kind of have to run the table, we have to win our next two,” Morris said. “Obviously that would be great. But every team in the conference can beat any other one on any given day. I don’t know if it matters really where you’re playing at this point on. I think it’s about getting to the dance (playoffs) and seeing how you’re going to perform at your best level when we get there, I think that’s the most important thing at this point.”

The break also gave the Golden Bears an opportunity to get healthy. Outside of running back Jonathan Rosery, who was lost for the year with a knee injury, the Bears are relatively healthy heading into the final two weeks of the regular season.

Rosery is a big loss, but Matthew Peterson has stepped admirably to fill the void.

“We’re certainly not weak at that position,” Morris said. “We have a good, capable player in there. He’s a little different than Jon. Jon is a little niftier and Matthew is a bit more downhill (runner), but he can make people miss and he has some power too.”