Fans who went to the Dec. 19 New Mexico Bowl saw a classic David vs. Goliath matchup and an outstanding football game. The Wyoming Cowboys, 13-point underdogs to the Fresno State Bulldogs, overcame an 11-point, fourth-quarter deficit to win 35-28 in double overtime.

Wyoming had Fresno State's fans beat in numbers by about 2-to-1, but University Stadium was still only about half full. While the great matchup, exciting finish and a victory by underdog Wyoming certainly can only help the bowl's stock, at least one Valencia County resident said he'd like to see teams that bring a huge fan following.

"It was a very exciting game," said Rick Duran of Los Lunas as Wyoming was accepting the bowl's trophy, a clay pot made by Acoma Pueblo natives. "I think it helps to have a big fan base to work with. It needs to have teams from big schools in here."

The game drew strong attendance in its first two years with the UNM Lobos playing, but in 2009, Fresno State was making its second straight appearance, so the unique appeal to its fans was minimal. Laramie, Wyo., is only about 300 miles closer to Albuquerque than Fresno is, but Wyoming plays in the same conference as the Lobos.

Duran brought his son, Rick Jr., to the game, and the younger Duran had his picture taken alongside a Fresno State player. There were many New Mexicans besides Duran at the game, and some even tried to gain some visibility through the event.

Robert Medina is the owner of Albuquerque's Fresh & Clean Portable Restrooms. He said that while he'd like to see bigger names like Notre Dame or UCLA at the bowl, he knows it's a complicated process for any two teams to end up in Albuquerque.

"Sure, it would be nice to have Notre Dame or another big school here," said Medina. "But local businesses don't really care who's here, it's all great for New Mexico. We're happy to have it, and we like to come watch the game, because what's better than letting your wife going Christmas shopping and you get to watch football?"

Another New Mexican traveled further than Duran did, making the trek down from Bloomfield as he does periodically for UNM games. Bruce Armenta brought his daughter Destini, a Bloomfield High senior, to the game, and he's a fan of football no matter who's playing.

"I like football, and my brother and mom and dad live here," said Armenta. "But there are only so many New Mexicans to fill this place."

While Armenta is one of many New Mexicans who drive great distances to attend events and shop in the Albuquerque metro area, he admits having big schools play in the game would help its visibility on a national scale.

Armenta said having a strong Mountain West Conference team with a familiarity with Albuquerque might help attendance.

"I'd like to see Utah or TCU in here for a bowl," Armenta said.

Not all those who traveled far to the bowl are either New Mexicans or fans of one of the two participating teams. Joey Maez is another fan with family in the Duke City, and the senior at Eaglecrest High in Centennial, Colo., south of Denver, attended the first New Mexico Bowl in 2006.

"I like big crowds for games," said Maez, who played right tackle for the Eaglecrest football team and hopes to play at Drake University. "This one wasn't too crowded, but it's a pretty good crowd. It's fun to come out to college games."

Maez's grandfather, Joe Maez of Albuquerque, is a UNM fan who supports both conferences that have arrangements to send teams to the New Mexico Bowl.

"I support the Mountain West, and the Western Athletic Conference, since the Lobos used to play there," he said.