(Complete game notes available)

THE GAME
Looking to pick up their first win of the season, the University of Regina Rams travel to Edmonton this weekend for a Saturday matchup against the Alberta Golden Bears. Despite both teams coming into the game with identical 0-3 marks, the winner of the contest will be just one win back of the fourth and final Canada West playoff spot at the midpoint of the conference schedule. Michael Ball will have the call on 620 CKRM and the game will also be available via webcast at www.canadawest.tv.

THE HEADLINES
• With three teams embroiled in a tie for second place in the Canada West standings with 2-1 records and two of those squads (Manitoba and UBC) playing each other this week, there will be at least one team at 2-2 after Week 4 — just one win ahead of the Rams/Bears winner
• The Rams have enjoyed an advantage over the Golden Bears in recent seasons, defeating Alberta in six of the past seven meetings dating back to 2006
• Regina's Chris Bodnar leads the CIS with an average of 44.8 yards per punt, which is exceeded in U of R single-season history only by Jon Ryan's 45.9 yards per punt in 2003
• For the second consecutive contest, true freshman Frankie Gray will start at quarterback for the Rams
• Alberta linebacker Jason Hetherington leads Canada West in total tackles (32½), while cornerback Brent Krawchuk and linebacker Duncan Morris are tied for the conference lead in interceptions (2) and sacks (3), respectively
• The Rams also started out the season with three consecutive losses in 1999, 2003, and 2004 — in 2003, they recovered to win four of their last five and made the postseason

UNIVERSITY OF REGINA RAMS (0-3)
Coming off a humbling 51-1 loss to the No. 3-ranked Calgary Dinos, the Rams will need to recover in a hurry if they hope to put their first tally in the win column this Saturday at Alberta.

The Rams received no good news on the injury front this week, as quarterback Dylan Hart won't be ready this weekend and the team announced that fifth-year pivot Marc Mueller would be shut down for the season due to the shoulder injury suffered against UBC in Week 1.

Adding to the Rams' injury issues is the loss of linebacker Austin Bates for this game, as the third-year linebacker was handed a one-game suspension for a late hit during Friday's loss.

There's a silver lining in the clouds for the Rams, though. Despite the 0-3 start, a victory for the Rams this week will put them just one win out of fourth place in the conference, and their final four games of the season are all against teams that go into Week 4 with 2-1 records. If the Rams can replicate what they did back in 2003 and win four out of their last five after dropping their first three, they'll have an excellent chance to make the postseason for the sixth consecutive season.

Frankie Gray, the first true freshman to start at quarterback since Teale Orban (2004), will get his second consecutive start at pivot. Adrian Charles added 57 yards to his rushing totals against Calgary and ranks second in Canada West and fifth in the nation with 338 yards. Jared Janotta remains the team's top receiver with 11 catches for 121 yards.

Akiem Hicks has led the Rams defensively this season, as the fourth-year defensive tackle has a team-high 15 tackles. Defensive end Logan Brooks leads the team with two sacks.

Following this Saturday's tilt with Alberta, the Rams will prepare for a home game against No. 10-ranked Manitoba (2-1) on Friday, Sept. 30 at Mosaic Stadium.

UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS (0-3)
First-year interim head coach Jeff Stead is still searching for his first win at the helm of the University of Alberta's football program, as the Golden Bears have suffered three straight losses to open up the 2011 season.

Two of those losses were close, with Alberta falling 22-20 to Manitoba in Week 2 and 40-30 to UBC on the road last week. The other loss was a 38-7 setback to Saskatchewan back in Week 1.

Julian Marchand has started all three games at quarterback for Alberta, but Curtis Dell saw significant playing time in the second half last week at UBC and ended up with solid numbers, completing 15 of his 23 passes for 167 yards and throwing two touchdown passes as the Golden Bears mounted a comeback attempt in the fourth quarter.

Running back K.K. Sonuga leads Canada West in rushing attempts (56) and comes into Week 4 with 249 rushing yards and three touchdown runs. Marchand and Dell have spread the ball around this year, as Ryley Richardson has a team-high 13 receptions but four other players all have more than eight on the season. The Bears' offensive line has allowed a conference-low two sacks this season.

Defensively, Jason Hetherington has a conference-leading 32½ total tackles, while Duncan Morris is tied for the Canada West lead with three sacks and Brent Krawchuk has two interceptions. Alberta's dangerous return game features Jess Valleau, who averages 34.2 yards per kickoff return and had a 100-yard return touchdown against Manitoba.

Alberta has consecutive road games coming up against No. 3-ranked Calgary (Oct. 2) and No. 10 Manitoba (Oct. 15).

(Complete game notes available)