EDMONTON - The Golden Bears football team was unable to find any rhythm on offence, suffering a 39-8 Week 1 loss to the Regina Rams at Foote Field. 

Alberta finished with nine more yards of offence than Regina, but were plagued by 29 pass incompletions, 10 penalties, and four turnovers on downs.

Friday night saw 5,160 fans pack the stands for the Golden Bears Home Opener, a new Foote Field attendance record. 

The Rams were boosted both by excellent field position all night, as well as 202 rush yards in the win, compared to 77 for Alberta. The special teams battle was also won convincingly by the Rams, who had a blocked punt to go along with a perfect night from kicker Ty Gorniak, who was 6/6 on his field goal attempts and 3/3 on conversions.

After struggling in the first half of his Golden Bears debut, quarterback Christian Veilleux completed 15 of his 30 pass attempts in the second half for 170 yards, adding 28 rush yards on four attempts. Isaiah Edwards was Veilleux's top target, hauling in 10 receptions for 96 yards. Isaiah Sanderson added 85 yards on five receptions. 

Rams starter Owen Sieben tossed for 111 yards on just eight completions, two of which being touchdown passes. The first came late in the first quarter, as the veteran Ram QB hit Nicholas Sirleaf for a 23-yard major. 

A Sieben TD strike to Renzel Arinaza in the final minute of the first half sent, along with Gorniak made field goals of 30, 40, 40 and 42 yards in the first half gave the visitors a 26-0 lead heading into the break. 

Gorniak added another two field goals in the third quarter, easily navigating the wind to give Regina a 32-0 lead. Eli Hetlinger finally got the hosts on the board, as the fifth-year QB capped off a strong Alberta drive with a one-yard plunge midway through the fourth. 

Christian Katende, who led the game with 130 rush yards on 23 attempts, added a late touchdown for the visitors. 

Alberta will visit the 0-1 UBC Thunderbirds next weekend, before hosting the Saskatchewan Huskies on September 18th. Regina will host the Manitoba Bisons next weekend.