Bulldogs. Despite their ferocious sounding name and their aggression on the field, the 15 members of this Intramural football team have one weakness - children.

They play to win, but they also play to benefit their community. Children were the sole focus of the teams’ fund-raising efforts last week, which will continue this week.

Beginning with a charity game Oct. 6, the Blue and Orange Game, members played against each other to raise money for the Capital Area Literacy Coalition.

“Our philosophy is, it’s all about the children,” team captain Erik Timko said. “If you’re doing something to help someone else, you can’t beat that.”

Timko, an elementary education senior, said the Bulldogs’ passion to benefit children “runs deep.”

At the charity game, the Bulldogs took donations from those who stood on the sidelines cheering them on and contributed their own money to the cause, and while fans tailgated before “The Cold War” on Oct. 6, they asked them for donations as well.

Players went to their residence halls, jobs and their family members for donations. After their weeklong efforts the group raised nearly $100.

“It’s double the excitement being able to play and make a contribution as well,” said Jason Flewelling, team member and marketing senior. “Our team has been fired up about playing, but we said we wanted to play for a cause. We decided we were going to play for the kids - they’re our new motivation.”

The Bulldogs have more charities on their list, such as the American Red Cross, which they’ll play for Nov. 17 during the annual Charity Bowl. Teams pay $50 and proceeds go to the Red Cross.