Washington and Lincoln have been playing each other since 1942, but it was in 1945 that the rivalry really started. For it was in 1945 that that student bodies of both schools got together with the A.A.A. and decided to be on each other's schedule.

        It was in 1945 when the idea of a permanent trophy for the annual winner of the game was conceived. A bell was decided upon as the trophy, and after much hunting a suitable one was rounded up. A bell was placed on a walnut stand and engraved with the words: Victory Bell.

        The first meetng of these two teams set a standard that through all the years has not fallen. For in 1942 the Lincoln Mustangs got the scare of their lives when the underdog Washington Eagle team showed surprising power in holding the Links to six points.

        The fall of 1943 came as it will and the Lincoln Team this year took revenge of the Eagles by shutting them out 24 to 0.

        1944 saw one of the closest, hard fought games in the cross-town rivalry's history. This Washington team was the victor to the tune of 13-12.

        1945 was of course, the Victory Bell year. The Bell's first resting-place was designated to be Lincoln as the Mustangs beat the Eagles 27-6. At the close of the game the impressive ceremony, which has marked all subsequent games as something special, was inaugurated. The Victory Bell was awarded to Lincoln with both cheering student sections looking on.

        Ollie Matson showed up on the Washington gridiron in 1946 but to no avail. The Mustangs trotted home with the bell a second time on the basis of a 26-13 win.

        In 1947 Washington was scaring and beating almost everyone in the league and Lincoln was no exception. Ollie Matson led the Eagles to a 14-7 win to give the Washingtonians their first sight of the coveted Victory Bell.

        The biggest margin of victory was set in 1948 when the Mustangs kicked the Eagles with a 32-0 defeat.

        The fourth week of competition in 1949 saw the Eagles and the Mustangs at it again. Lincoln proved the stronger in this one, as Washington was beaten 27-14.

        The Bell stayed at Lincoln still another year as Washington was shut out in 1950, 16-0. The game was nip and tuck in the first two periods then the roof fell in on Washington as Lincoln scored two successive safeties to win.

        That's how the games have gone over the past years, but no matter who wins today's game or any games in the future the friendly cross-town rivalry between Washington and Lincoln will never die. For instilled into each and every student of these two schools is the spirit and true determination to go out and bring back "Victory" on the plaque.