Puppy Bowl XXI, which airs Sunday afternoon on Animal Planet and other channels (see tune-in information below), will feature 142 rescue dogs from 40 states in three hours of play. Teams Ruff and Fluff will vie for the Lombarky Trophy, their rosters including eight dogs from New Jersey.

Southside SPCA Assistant Director Francee Schuma sees it as a great time for the pups and an even more exciting opportunity for the rescue group.

Every year, as anticipation builds for the Super Bowl, another equally heartwarming event captures the attention of animal lovers across the nation — the Puppy Bowl. This year’s spectacle was particularly special for Minnesotans as one of their own,

Foxtrot, a mixed Collie and rescue pup at Pet Haven was on Team Ruff that lost to Team Fluff in a 68-66 nailbiter.