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MIAMI — New Mexico has been annexed.

The state now belongs to former University of New Mexico star Brian Urlacher, who has clearly stamped it Chicago Bears territory.

Even Gov. Bill Richardson got in on the act, declaring Sunday to be Brian Urlacher Day in the Land of Enchantment.

But a few brave souls are willing to go on the record and admit they are, gulp, pulling for the Indianapolis Colts to beat the Bears in Super Bowl XLI being played Sunday in Miami.

It's nothing personal against King Urlacher, they just have a few other ties that run a little deeper.

Preston Dennard, a former University of New Mexico wide receiver who played for the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl XIV, is rooting for another ex-Lobo to win this year's Super Bowl.

Gene Huey, the Colts' running back coach for the past 15 years, was a UNM wide receivers coach from 1974-76.

"Gene Huey is the coach who recruited me and is the reason I came to UNM," Dennard said. "He has stayed in touch with me and my family and always looked out for me. I never would have made it where I am today without him.

Dennard called Huey after the Colts won the AFC Championship, and left a message for him. Huey couldn't reach Dennard when he called back, so he called Dennard's mother and chatted with her for awhile.

"He's worked very hard to get to this level, and he deserves to win a Super Bowl," Dennard said. "I think Brian is a great guy, but I really hope Gene gets a championship because he was my old coach."

If those close ties to Huey weren't enough, Dennard also played against Colts coach Tony Dungy in the NFL and deeply respects his approach to the game.

"He plays the game the right way," Dennard said. "Both coaches do, but I know Gene and Tony. They have my support."

McKinley Boston, New Mexico State's athletics director, also is openly cheering for the Colts.

This isn't just more bad blood in the Aggies-Lobos rivalry.

Boston and Dungy played on the same Minnesota team in college and have remained close friends throughout their careers.

"I love Tony," Boston said. "He's a phenomenal coach, and I hope he wins this Super Bowl.

"When I was the AD back at Minnesota, I tried to hire him to be our head football coach when he was still an assistant with the Minnesota Vikings. He thought it over, but he passed it up because he thought his future was with the NFL."

Boston said he admires the work both Dungy and Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith have done leading their teams to the Super Bowl, but his heart will always go out to Dungy.

"Tony is a good person and treats his players well," Boston said. "He respects everyone and also has a tremendous sense of the game. I think he has worked hard to develop a great offense and a strong defense.

"I hope that all his years of hard work are rewarded."