A rivalry that is one of the most historic in all of Division II is renewed for the 100th time on Saturday. What started back 114 years ago continues today with "Game 100" between Lenoir-Rhyne and Catawba. Only five rivalries have been played more in NCAA Division II history than the Bears/Indians which was first played in 1907.
Catawba has won 49 of the first 99 games with LR winning 46 times. Four games have ended in a tie, most recently in 1939. LR owns a 24-25-1 record at home in the series history and have won the past two meetings and seven of the last 10. LR once defeated Catawba 75-0 back in 1957 and Catawba hung a 52-0 decision over the Bears in 1971. The teams met three times (LR's only three games) in the 1907 season with Catawba sweeping the series thanks to wins of 15-0, 43-0 and 6-3. The following year, LR earned their first ever win in series history with a 11-0 win. In the three meetings in 1908, Catawba never scored and lost by a combined 61-0.
Up until 1968, the game would occasionally be played on Thanksgiving and earned a nickname of "The Turkey Bowl". Since 1973, LR and Catawba have played in the last game of the regular season. Each of the past two seasons (excluding the spring), LR has been able to clinch an outright SAC Championship with a win over the Indians. The Bears have won those two games by a combined score of 112-24.
There will be plenty on the line in this meeting as well. The Bears need a win to keep their hopes alive for a share of a SAC Championship and a spot in the NCAA Playoffs. The Bears are a game behind both Mars Hill and Newberry in the league standings and need a win and losses from both teams to earn a four-way share (along with Wingate) of the league championship. LR comes into the weekend ranked No. 9 in the Regional Rankings with only the top seven earning a spot in the NCAA Playoffs. LR needs a win and a little help to be in the postseason for the third straight year. Catawba has a chance to play spoiler and earn their sixth win of the season and third in league play.
The rivalry has been played every year since 1946 but took a break from 1942-45 due World War II. The winner of Saturday's game will always be able to claim bragging rights of the 100th meeting.
