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Bowl games take a TV ratings hit

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — It was not a plunge like the recent stock market, but television viewership for this season’s college football bowl games — including the 10th-annual Gildan New Mexico Bowl — took a hit.

When Arizona beat host New Mexico 45-37 on Dec. 19 at University Stadium, it was one of the best crowds in the bowl’s history.

Not only was it the third largest — 30,289 — but the count didn’t appear to be padded much, if any, and provided an extremely enthusiastic atmosphere.

However, while having the hometown Lobos in the game — their first bowl appearance since 2007 — helped the spirit at the stadium, it didn’t help national viewership for the noon kickoff and the bowl season’s first FBS contest.