The Golden Bears open their 2023 campaign in Calgary on Friday night. Alberta narrowly missed the playoffs in 2022, finishing with a 3-5 conference record. 

Head coach Chris Morris is entering his 11th year at the helm of the Golden Bears, and is looking for 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. 

Top recruits for Morris and the Bears include Joe Murphy (RB) and Max Sama (DL). 

The Bears and Dinos split their two meetings last season, with Alberta earning a 34-23 win in Calgary, before the Dinos earned a 24-11 win at Commonwealth in October. 



2023 CW FOOTBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
Team - Points (First-place votes)

T1. Saskatchewan Huskies - 23 (3)
T1. UBC Thunderbirds - 23 (3)
3. Manitoba Bisons - 14
4. Regina Rams - 13
5. Alberta Golden Bears - 12
6. Calgary Dinos - 5

---

BEARS SEASON PREVIEW

2022 CW regular season record: /3-5/, 5th  
2022 post-season record: /0-0/,DNQ
 
Last Hardy Cup championship / total Hardy Cup championships: 1981 / 16
Last Vanier Cup championship / total Vanier Cup championships: 1980 / 3
 
CFL Draft Picks: LB Jake Taylor (18th to EDM) | DL Kwadwo Boahen (22nd to CGY) | REC Jonathan Rosery (62nd to WPG)
 
2022 CW regular season ranks:
Points for: 21.9 PPG, 5th 
Total offence: 411.9 YPG, 4th
Points against: 325.1 PPG, 4th
Total defence: 432.5 YPG, 5th 
 
2022 CW regular season leaders: (Bold – Returning)
Passing yards: 1,396 - Eli Hetlinger, QB
Rushing yards: 283 – Matthew Peterson, RB
Receiving yards: 560 – Kolby Hurford, REC
All-purpose yards: 696 – Jonathan Rosery, REC
Tackles: 48.5 – Jassen Brown, LB
Sacks: 3 – Josh Lenz, DL
Interceptions: 2 – Charlie De Land, DB
 
Key additions (name / position / eligibility / hometown / last team):
Joe Murphy / RB / 1st / Vernon, BC / Vernon Panthers
Max Sama / DL / 1st / Edmonton, AB / Austin O'Brien Crusaders
  
Key offensive performer:
Eli Hetlinger
Quarterback
2nd Year
Edmonton, AB
 
As is often the case in Canadian Football, Quarterback play has a massive role in team success. The same is true for the Bears, who seem to have found their QB of the current and future. In five starts last season, Eli Hetlinger tossed for 279 yards per game, the third highest total in U SPORTS. In games he completed, the Bears were 2-2. Without him, the Bears were 1-3. Much of the Bears potential success in 2023 relies on continued progression and a healthier season from Hetlinger.
 
Key defensive performer:
Jonathan Giustini
Defensive Back
Fourth Year
Calgary, AB
 
Arguably the Bears best pass defender in 2022, free safety / kicker Jonathan Giustini returns to anchor a young defence in 2023. Giustini finished second on the team with 47 tackles last fall, adding a team-high six pass breakups, and is one year removed from being the conference's all-star at kicker. Losing three of their top four tackle leaders to graduation/the CFL, Giustini will once again need to be excellent in the Alberta backfield in their absence.