VANCOUVER – This Saturday, October 17 the UBC Thunderbirds (1-5) and Simon Fraser Clan (2-4) are facing off in the 32nd edition of the Shrum Bowl, the almost annual dual that has pitted these two Lower Mainland foes against each other on the football field.

This year's contest, which features two teams on the outside of the Canada West playoff race, still has a lot of meaning as it could very well be the final Shrum Bowl for the foreseeable future as Simon Fraser is set to begin play in NCAA Division II next season.

With all the uncertainty surrounding the future of the game, both schools will be out to stake claim to the overall series as it currently stands knotted at 15-15-1 since the first game was played back in 1967.

Last year, the Clan ended the T-Birds four-year win streak with a 20-19 victory at Thunderbrid Stadium thanks to a last-second 38-yard field goal.

Saturday's contest is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start at Terry Fox Field on the SFU Campus. The game can also be seen live on SHAW TV.

A Look at the Thunderbirds

UBC comes into this weekend trying to avoid a fifth straight loss. Last weekend they were handled 44-7 by the No. 7 Saskatchewan Huskies on the road. Running back Dave Boyd ran for 125 yards and the lone UBC score on 20 carries. The third-year back ranks second in the Canada West with 634 yards and a 105.7 yards per game average. Starting QB Billy Greene, who had thrown for over 600 yards combined in the two games before the trip to Saskatchewan, was just 6-of-17 last week for 91 yards in the first half before seeing Boomer Chaube take over under centre for the second 30 minutes. As a group, the UBC offence ranks sixth in the conference in total offence (334.7 yards per game) and last in scoring offence (15.3 points per game).

On defence, the T-Birds have struggled against the run all season while their secondary has been one of the best in the league. Following the loss of their top five defensive lineman from 2008, the T-Birds have allowed a league worst 240 yards per game on the ground. They also surrender a league high 34.7 points per game despite their second-ranked secondary (188.5 passing yards allowed per game). Second-year safety Alex Babalos currently leads the league in tackles with 46, including 39 solo efforts. He is the only player in the league averaging more than seven tackles per game at 7.7  Rookie linebacker Andy Algar has vaulted up the conference leaders in tackles since replacing Nathan Kanya (back injury) and the first-year ranks third overall in tackles per game (6.0) and has 30 tackles in five games.

A Look at the Clan

After a breakout 2008 season that saw them qualify for the Hardy Cup and a 2-0 start to the season, the Clan were on pace for another big season. That promise, however, has been derailed as of late as SFU enters this weekend on a four-game losing streak. The Burnaby school has suffered a pair of heartbreaking defeats the last two weeks, after they allowed the Huskies to escape with an overtime win two weekends ago before the Regina Rams took a 26-24 decision with a late field goal last week. After a minor quarterback controversy, 2009 opening day starter Bernd Dittrich appears to have solidified his spot as the team's no. 1 after last week's performance that saw him gain 253 total yards (162 passing, 91 rushing, two rushing TDs). Gabe Ephard remains one of the most dangerous backs in the league, as evidence by his 128 yards on just 12 carries last week against the Rams. SFU ranks second in total offence (423.8 yards/game) and third in scoring offence with 24.5 points per game.

SFU has also been sound on defence and they lead the league in total defence allowing just 314.5 yards per game. Their pass defence surrenders an average of just 178.7 yards per game (tops in the Canada West) and 135.8 yards per game on the ground (second in the CW).   They have also made a league best 11 interceptions, however, SFU has also committed a league worst 19 turnovers. Despite their team success on defence, Mark Bailey ranks first on the team in tackles with 24, which ranks him tied for 19th in the conference. Anthony DesLauriers anchors the secondary and has four interceptions this season.