CALGARY – The return to the friendly confines of McMahon Stadium did not go as the University of Calgary Dinos planned, as they fell to the University of Alberta Golden Bears 36-30 on Sunday afternoon. 

In a pivotal matchup with their provincial rival, Calgary (1-3) came out flat, spotting the Bears (2-2) a 19-point lead to start the game. 

It was a sloppy first quarter that allowed the Bears to sprint out to the early lead, and while some might blame it on the Dinos' inexperience, head coach Wayne Harris isn't going to let his team off that easy.  

"We keep making critical mistakes," said Harris. "You would like to say it's the youth of the team, but they've had enough games now that we shouldn't continue to make the same mistakes." 

Calgary would show resolve after their shaky start, battling back to score 26 unanswered points to take a 26-19 lead late in the first half. 

But for the third-straight contest, the Dinos' offence would dry up in the second half, scoring just four total points in the third and fourth quarters combined. 

The inconsistences have been a story all season long for the Dinos, and despite both the offence and defence showing flashes here and there, starting quarterback Josiah Joseph knows they need to get more consistent on both sides of the ball. 

"We need to be able to play full 60-minutes of football," explained the fifth-year pivot. "I don't think we have done that once this year." 

Alberta would take the early lead thanks to a two-yard Matthew Peterson plunge, followed by a Jonathon Rosery 11-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Brad Launhardt. 

But when the teams flipped sides in the first half, all the momentum came with it. The Dinos would score three second-quarter touchdowns to take the 26-19 lead. Joseph would start by finding Tyson Philpot for a five-yard score. Next, Joseph would score two with his legs, one on an 11-yard scramble, and the second on a one-yard quarterback sneak. 

The Bears would answer right back just before the half thanks to a Chevy Thomas four-yard touchdown pass from Launhardt to tie the game at 26-26 heading into the break. 

After the teams exchanged field goals in the second half, it was Peterson's second touchdown of the game midway through the fourth quarter that would seal it for the visitors. 

Calgary had their chances near the end, even moving into Golden Bears' territory near the end of the game down by just one score. But a failed third-down conversion, followed by a roughing the kicker penalty on the ensuing Bears' possession, and the defending Vanier Cup champions suddenly find themselves at 1-3. 

Calgary's Tyson and Jalen Philpot continued their strong seasons, as Tyson led the team with 81 yards receiving and a touchdown, and Jalen added 80 yards himself. 

While Matthew Lucyshyn was a star for the Dinos' defence, racking up seven-and-a-half tackles, including one sack. 

The Dinos had no answer for Rosery, as the third-year receiver hauled in six catches for 141 yards and a score. On defence, Josiah Schakel was all over the field for Alberta, finishing the game with nine tackles and one tackle-for-loss. 

Calgary will stay home and host the UBC Thunderbirds next Saturday, Oct. 30, at 2:00 p.m. MT  in what is essentially a must-win game if they hope to see the Canada West Playoffs.    

SCORING SUMMARY
1st Quarter
ALB – Matthew Peterson 2-yard TD run (Jonathan Giustini convert), 2:40, 7-0 ALB
ALB – Jonathan Giustini kickoff single, 2:45, 8-0 ALB
ALB – Jonathan Giustini 36-yard FG, 6:05, 11-0 ALB
ALB – Jonathan Rosery 11-yard TD pass from Brad Launhardt (Jonathan Giustini convert), 12:16, 18-0 ALB
ALB – Jonathan Giustini kickoff single, 12:16, 19-0 ALB
CGY – Team Safety, 15:00, 19-2 ALB

2nd Quarter
CGY – Tyson Philpot 5-yard TD pass from Josiah Joseph (Vince Triumbari convert), 3:56, 19-9 CGY
CGY – Vince Triumbari 43-yard FG, 7:25, 19-12 CGY
CGY – Josiah Joseph 11-yard TD run (Vince Triumbari convert), 9:37, 19-19
CGY – Josiah Joseph 1-yard TD run (Vince Triumbari convert), 13:50, 26-19 CGY
ALB – Chevy Thomas 4-yard TD pass from Brad Launhardt (Jonathan Giustini convert), 0:57, 26-26

3rd Quarter
ALB – Jonathan Giustini 32-yard FG, 1:09, 29-26 ALB

4th Quarter
CGY – Vince Triumbari 21-yard FG, 11:02, 29-29
ALB – Matthew Peterson 30-yard TD pass from Brad Launhardt (Jonathan Giustini convert), 8:44, 36-29 ALB
CGY – Vince Triumbari missed FG single, 5:35, 36-30 ALB

-UC-