CALGARY – The first of two meetings between provincial rivals Calgary and Alberta goes Saturday afternoon at Edmonton's Foote Field and, as is always the case when the Dinos and Golden Bears hook up, there are storylines aplenty.

GAME NOTES (.pdf)

There are, of course, the multiple Calgary connections to the Bears, beginning with head coach Jerry Friesen, the former Calgary defensive coordinator, and quarterback Julian Marchand – himself a former Dino.

However, few observers would have anticipated that the Bears would be in first place heading into this Week 3 contest against an injury-riddled Dinos team stuck in a four-way tie for second place. The Bears are full marks for their 2-0 start, getting both wins on the road and looking to maintain that momentum heading home for four of their next five. Calgary, meanwhile, begins an extended road swing and would dearly love to get off on the right foot Saturday afternoon.

The Dinos defeated Alberta 20-14 in pre-season action back in August, but exhibition games are less about the final score and more about getting playing time for young athletes. Calgary did, however, outscore Alberta 119-49 in their three meetings last season, including a 45-13 win in the Canada West semi-final in Calgary.

The Dinos and Bears will meet once more to wrap up the season, Oct. 30 at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.

Here's a look at the two sides:

No. 4 Calgary (1-1)
Last week: defeated Regina 24-21
Next week: at Manitoba

Missing no fewer than five All-Canadians, Calgary still managed to grab a come-from-behind win over Regina last Friday night to even its record at 1-1 heading into this weekend's Battle of Alberta. Freshman quarterback Eric Dzwilewski shone in his CIS debut, throwing for 258 yards and a pair of TDs as the Dinos held on for a 24-21 victory. The Boise, Idaho native earned Canada West offensive player of the week honours.

Nathan Coehoorn, meanwhile, put up 182 punt return yards in the game including a 76-yard touchdown return and was named CIS special teams player of the week for his efforts.

Having salvaged a 1-1 record at home to open the year, the Dinos head on the road with four of their next five games coming away from McMahon Stadium. It all begins at Foote Field, a place that has been unkind to Calgary. Since 2004, Calgary has posted a 2-6 record in Edmonton, a streak that includes one post-season game in 2004.

However, one of those two wins came in the last game there, a 40-5 drilling to wrap up the 2009 season. The Dinos would love nothing more than a repeat performance to spoil their rivals' 100th Anniversary celebrations Saturday afternoon.

The sick bay may finally begin to clear out for the Dinos over the next couple of weeks. Safety Anthony DesLauriers is expected back in the lineup Saturday, and receiver Anthony Woodson could return to the field in limited action this week after being injured in the season opener against Saskatchewan. Several other Dinos are still day-to-day and could return either for the Alberta game or for the team's Week 4 contest against Manitoba in Winnipeg.

No. 7 Alberta (2-0)
Last week: defeated 31-6
Next week: host Saskatchewan

Alone in first place after a pair of wins on the road, the Golden Bears return home as the only undefeated team in the conference ready to celebrate the program's 100th anniversary on Saturday afternoon.

The two wins came over UBC and Manitoba, and the victory over UBC gained some extra lustre with the Thunderbirds' major upset of then-No. 2 Saskatchewan last weekend in Saskatoon.

Running back Matthew Jarvis sits atop the conference rushing leaderboard, averaging 117 yards per game, while quarterback Julian Marchand has tossed for 527 yards and five touchdowns in his first two games of the year. Marchand is a former Dino, joining Calgary late in the 2007 season and leading them into the playoffs.

Jess Valleau and Laine Rogers are the team's receiving leaders, while All-Canadian defensive end Craig Gerbrandt leads a defence that has been the stingiest in the conference to this point.

Saturday's game starts an important three-week stretch for the Golden Bears. After hosting No. 4 Calgary, Alberta gets No. 6 Saskatchewan at home followed by No. 9 Regina on the road. The Bears' stated goal coming into the season was to host a playoff game, and the next three weeks could well decide whether or not that will happen.

-UC-