CALGARY – A 33-point offensive explosion in the first half helped the University of Alberta Golden Bears to a 34-23 victory over the University of Calgary Dinos Friday night at McMahon Stadium.

The Dinos (0-3) were unable to contain the big plays from the Bears (2-1) in the opening two quarters, giving up 368 yards of total offense, including a 65-yard touchdown pass from Eli Hetlinger to Kolby Hurford late in the half. 

Offensively, Calgary used a tandem approach at quarterback, with both Matteo Spoletini and Daniel Sananes getting their chances under centre. Sananes had the most success, finishing 20-for-32 for 298 yards and two touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Hetlinger had a very efficient night for the Bears, finishing with 24 completions for 348 yards and two scores of his own. 

After the Bears scored the opening 10 points of the game, the Dinos would respond with their best offensive drive of the game. A seven-play, 91-yard drive, including two big plays from Sananes to Gob Deng, was capped off by a Ben Abrook one-yard plunge to bring the Dinos within three. 

That would be as close as Calgary would come, as the Bears would score three more times to close out the half to take a commanding 33-8 lead into the locker room. Hetlinger ran one in himself, before throwing two more, including the bomb to his go-to man Hurford. 

Calgary showed zero quit in the second half, however, outscoring the Bears 15-1, and holding the Bears to just 58 yards of total offence. 

The Dinos' offence was also able to get things rolling in the fourth, as Sananes led two touchdown drives to get Calgary within 11. His first major was a nine-yard toss to Ben Britton, followed by an 11-yard strike to Zack Smith in the back of the endzone for his second. Unfortunately, the clock was working against the Dinos, and 34-23 was how this one would finish.

Head coach Wayne Harris knows that if his team is going to start winning games, they will need to start playing a full four quarters of football.

"We need to be more consistent and not shoot ourselves in the foot with penalties and bad plays," said Harris. "Those are things that hurt any team and you just can't afford to do that in this conference."  

Smith was one of the bright spots for the Dinos on the offensive side of the ball, finishing with eight catches for 111 yards and the touchdown. Meanwhile, Liam Reid was a standout on defence, leading the team with six-and-a-half total tackles, including two tackles-for-loss. 

Chevy Thomas had a strong game for the Bears before leaving with an injury, catching six passes for 96 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown. While Jassen Brown gave the Dinos offensive line trouble all game, finishing with one-and-a-half sacks. 

Next up for the Dinos is a trip to IG Field to take on the Manitoba Bisons next Saturday at 1 p.m., while the Bears will host the Saskatchewan Huskies at Foote Field.