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Some modest good news for the New Mexico Bowl: TV ratings rose slightly for the second annual football game that pitted the University of New Mexico against Nevada.

According to the national TV ratings released today, about 2.247 million households saw New Mexico beat Nevada on ESPN.

The combined live and replay broadcasts of the New Mexico Bowl garnered a 2.33 rating, an increase from a 1.81 rating in 2006 (New Mexico vs. San Jose State), according to the figures. The live broadcast earned a 1.96 rating and the replay on ESPN earned a 0.37.

The New Mexico Bowl ranked 13th out of the 21 college bowl games aired by ESPN and ESPN2.

"I think it is good news, and we're certainly pleased with how the game has grown here," Jeff Siembieda, executive director of the New Mexico Bowl, said today.

"We're certainly a young bowl, and we don't have the big-name BCS teams. . . . We know what we are and what we're not."

The Lobos defeated the Wolf Pack 23-0 in the Dec. 22 game at University Stadium in Albuquerque in front of an announced crowd of 30,223. The victory ended a 46-year bowl drought for the hometown Lobos.

Siembieda said the solid attendance and TV ratings show the event is making strides both locally and nationally to bring positive exposure to the state.

Dan Ballou, director of sports marketing for the Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau, said the bowl game brought in nearly $1 million from visitors, according to direct spending figures that track people who they know spent the night in hotels.

Ballou said the ACVB was pleased with the $949,280 in direct spending, but was more thrilled with the airtime the state received during the telecast, which included two commercials.

"More than anything it's a media buy," Ballou said. "It's a 3 hour block of national TV exposure. Our destination gets a bunch of eyes on it every time they pan to the scenic views or they have conversations about Albuquerque during the game. . . . You can't put a price tag on that."

Siembieda said bowl officials will continue to look for ways to improve the game. He said the expanded "Fan Fest" and guest appearance of ESPN college football analyst Lee Corso were popular with fans during bowl week.

"I think we'll only continue to grow and get better," Siembieda said.

Siembieda said the best way to boost the bowl game might depend on the customers who showed up for the event.

"The 30,000 people at the game are probably our best sales people," Siembieda said. "The biggest thing is the hospitality. We're second to none. I think people are going to want to come here because of that."

Siembieda said bowl officials are in discussions with ESPN to secure a date for next season's game. He said he would prefer a Dec. 20 (Saturday) date and an afternoon time slot.