Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Union College are bitter rivals.

Nothing brings that out more than when the two schools meet on the football field, with the Dutchman Shoes up for grabs.

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Since 1950, the two schools have been playing for the Shoes, which as you can tell from its name is a pair of shoes, mounted on a trophy. Here is a link to a web site that shows the history of the Shoes.

While the trophy may not look like much, both teams will do anything they can to get their hands on it.

RPI currently possesses the trophy, following last year's 21-7 victory at East Campus Stadium, the first time the rivalry game had ever been played there.

The matchup is the oldest in New York State, with the two schools having met more than 100 times.

I've covered the game three times and it's really a great matchup. If you've never been, I suggest you plan on heading to Union's Frank Bailey Field on Saturday. The game is also being broadcast on Time Warner-3.

Like any good rivalry the game is always close and there are a ton of fans from both schools on hand, which creates a terrific, crazy atmosphere.

RPI's top player is junior quarterback Mike Hermann, who averages 285 yards of total offense per game. Hermann can run and pass, which makes him a dual threat for the Engineers.

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Union is led by its passing attack, with senior quarterback Drew Connolly and senior wide receiver Justin Gallo. Connolly and Gallo have hooked up for 11 touchdowns this season and twice Gallo has had three touchdown receptions in one game.

Here is a link to the story I wrote in Thursday's Troy Record, following the annual mid-week press conference that really kicks off getting ready for the game.

Make sure to check out The Record again on Saturday for my game advance and Sunday for the game story.

You can also follow me on twitter @AndrewSantillo.

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