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In terms of saying if it is a rivalry or not, the following article from the Big Sky Conference, states that it is a "traditional rivalry" and that is has been placed at the end of the season with other traditional rivalries.
The title is misleading, as the first sentence makes a routine announcement of the upcoming game, and then diverts to discussing the Southern Utah coach and other aspects of the team's season the rest of the way. Not focused on the matchup/rivalry and says almost nothing meaningful about Northern Arizona aside from a single passing mention from the SUU coach: The guys have higher aspirations now. It’s about beating NAU and all that comes with it.
~ Doesn't really discuss the two involved teams as a matchup or rivalry, mostly about the two individual coaches from each team who happen to have a prior personal connection and their anecdotes about it. Not particularly focused on the matchup/rivalry but not entirely off-topic either.
~ Most of this is WP:CRYSTAL but there are two paragraphs that offer overview-level encyclopedic coverage of the matchup as an established cohesive topic: Northern Arizona and Southern Utah, both current members of the Big Sky Conference, compete annually in a matchup dubbed the Grand Canyon Rivalry. However the Thunderbirds are leaving the Big Sky for the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) beginning with the 2022 season.
Northern Arizona and Southern Utah have played each other every season since 2008 and have met 25 times overall. The two schools played twice during the spring 2021 season, with the Lumberjacks coming out on top in both contests, 34-33 in Flagstaff and 28-20 in Cedar City. Northern Arizona currently leads the overall series 15-10.
?Unknown
This table may not be a final or consensus view; it may summarize developing consensus, or reflect assessments of a single editor. Created using {{source assess table}}.
Hm? That source suggests it is a rivalry: How SUU-NAU became a rivalry ... “For me, it’s always been really big,” SUU head coach Demario Warren said. “Ever since I’ve been here, the games have been really close. For me, it’s always been very very competitive and it’s been a game I’ve always looked forward to.” And his players feel the same way. Weber State might have the in-state ties, but NAU has the history. And that's why for many SUU players, there is little question which trophy game means more...BeanieFan11 (talk) 02:52, 2 January 2024 (UTC)[reply]
You quoted the coach too... but anyways, the quote is just a small portion of the article, which is from an independent newspaper source. BeanieFan11 (talk) 01:29, 4 January 2024 (UTC)[reply]
I voted delete at the AfD, as there doesn't seem be sufficient SIGCOV about either (a) a bona fide, notable rivalry, or (b) the trophy. Unfortunately, nobody else at the AfD agreed with my position. Cbl62 (talk) 06:12, 1 January 2024 (UTC)[reply]