UC Davis and California State University, Sacramento, are out for blood in the Causeway Classic — not in the football Causeway Classic, but in the blood drive Causeway Classic.

In last year’s inaugural event, UC Davis came out on top with 1,300 pints of blood. (Sacramento State, however, came out on top in the football game, 29-19.)

This year’s UC Davis Causeway Classic blood draw is scheduled for Nov. 17 and 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days in Freeborn Hall. All students, staff, faculty and alumni are invited to donate. The campus organization with the most participation will win $500, organizers said.

Also, the organizers said, every participant will receive a free T-shirt, a ticket to see Dolphins and Whales 3D: Tribes of the Ocean at the Esquire IMAX Theater in Sacramento and a discount coupon for the GAP store at Davis Commons, and will be entered in a drawing to win Apple iPod Nanos, IKEA gift cards, Habit Burger Grill certificates, Pluto’s gift cards and more.

BloodSource runs the blood draw, and advises people to drink plenty of fluids and to eat before rolling up their sleeves. The minimum age is 17 (or 16 with BloodSource parental consent form); also, donors must weigh at least 110 pounds and be generally healthy. All donors must present photo identification.

Sacramento State has already conducted its Causeway Classic blood drive for 2009.

The UC Davis drive will wind up a few days before the 56th annual Causeway Classic football game. Besides football bragging rights, the Aggies and Hornets also are vying for the Causeway Classic blood drive’s perpetual trophy, which is due to be presented at the game.

CAUSEWAY CLASSICS

Blood drive at UC Davis: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 17 and 18, Freeborn Hall

Football: UC Davis vs. Sacramento State, 2:05 p.m. Nov. 21, Hornet Stadium