CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos officially kick off the 2023 season Friday with a big home opener, welcoming the University of Alberta Golden Bears to McMahon Stadium.

The action is set for 5:30 p.m. on Friday, with festivities for fans starting at 3:30 as part of the annual KICKOFF event.

HEADLINES

• The provincial rivals faced off twice during the 2022 season, with each team claiming a road win. The Bears turned in a 34-23 win at McMahon in Week 3 before the Dinos defence showed up in a big way for a 24-11 victory in Edmonton in Week 6.
• That Oct. 15 road win for the Dinos snapped a two-game losing skid in the Battle of Alberta - the first time they had dropped two straight to the Bears since 2006-07. Calgary still owns 20 of the last 24 wins in the series.
• Alberta has been Calgary's opponent for the annual KICKOFF event five times prior to Friday's opener. The Bears actually claimed the inaugural event, 17-15, back in 2006. Since then the Dinos have turned in wins of 17-11 (2008), 34-31 (2009), 65-6 (2012) and a 71-3 (2014).
• This game will be the lone meeting between the provincial rivals this season, as Calgary's home-and-home series this season will come against Manitoba, Saskatchewan and UBC.

Calgary Dinos (0-0)
Next week: at UBC

• The Dinos will hope to bounce back after an uncharacteristic season in 2022 that saw them miss the postseason for just the second time in the last 15 seasons.
• Calgary will feature a new signal caller this year, with the likely candidate being newcomer Dom Britton. The local product comes to the Scarlet & Gold after leading the Okanagan Sun to a national championship in the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) last fall. Britton joins brother Ben Britton - a second-year receiver - and cousin Nate Beauchemin - a third-year defensive back - on this year's Dinos roster.
• Head coach Wayne Harris enters his ninth season leading the Dinos. The Calgary alum, who has led the Dinos to a Vanier Cup win in 2019 and five Hardy Cup appearances, will look to get his team back on top after a challenging 2022 campaign that saw the young squad finish 1-7 in conference play.
• Next weekend, the Dinos will head west to take on the UBC Thunderbirds for a Saturday afternoon showdown.

Alberta Golden Bears (0-0)
Next week: vs. Manitoba

• Alberta started the 2022 campaign 2-1 before dropping four straight. They claimed a big 15-12 win over UBC in the season finale but just missed a playoff berth as the fifth team in Canada West.
• Head coach Chris Morris enters his 11th year at the helm of the Golden Bears, looking to lead his team to a third playoff appearance in four seasons.
• Alberta returns a majority of their offensive playmakers, including sophomore QB Eli Hetlinger, fifth-year receiver Jonathan Rosery, and third-year receiver Kolby Hurford. On defence, the Bears will be led by veteran defensive backs Jonathan Giustini and Tyshon Blackburn, as well as linebacker Reiss Flunder.
• The Bears will host their home opener in Week 2, welcoming Manitoba to Foote Field Friday evening.

-UC-