The contest is billed as the "River Rivalry" because both cities, Bismarck, ND, and Moorhead, MN, are land-marked by bodies of water. Both cities have NCAA Division II universities. Both student bodies are passionate about their school's and building new traditions and rivalries. Both are members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference's (NSIC) North Division.

These gridiron rivals will meet for the third time in football this Saturday, Oct. 11, 1 p.m., at the Community Bowl in Bismarck, as the Marauders and Dragons battle for the Paddle Trophy in the River Rivalry. This is the teams' second meeting in Bismarck, where the Marauders won the first battle 21-20. The University of Mary has yet to relinquish the trophy, as the Marauders also defeated the Dragons on their home field in Moorhead last year, 45-31.

"The Battle for the Paddle Trophy is a great way for both of our schools to start building that "River Rivalry" when we play football," says Blaze Culliton, University of Mary student body president. "Both student bodies thought what better way to get our fans, players and alumni fired up about our game every year. It's carrying forward a great tradition."

The team that wins each year is responsible for the safekeeping and delivery of the Paddle Trophy and its case to each Marauders-Dragons Battle for the Paddle. The home team's student body representative will award the Paddle Trophy, which has each school's logo on opposite sides of the blade and the score of each game, to the winning team following the game.