The cold rain was not enough to dampen the spirits of tailgaters, who've been coming in since Sunday morning to watch Monday's Sun Bowl game between Georgia Tech and USC.

Campers lined the UTEP parking lot near Shuster Avenue for Monday's bowl game between Georgia Tech and USC with plenty of spots still available.

"We always try to come here and support the game and enjoy the tradition," said Las Cruces resident Albert Marquez

Albert and his brothers have tailgated for the Sun Bowl for nine years; they stayed warm during the night by lighting a fire.

"Compared to other years, this is a mild winter for us here, so I don't think that's an excuse not to be out here and supporting your team," said Albert.

He thinks the negative comments made by two USC players about El Paso may have affected team support.

"Maybe their fans are not here to support them, so normally we see twice or three times more RVs out here," said Albert.

Kevin Harper drove all the way from San Angelo, Texas to watch the bowl game. This is his second year visiting El Paso.

"I'm looking forward to Georgia Tech smashing USC," said Harper.

Harper heard about the Twitter comments made by USC and wasn't happy about it.

"Honestly they shouldn't even deserve a bowl game, but they're here so we're going to send them home with something to remember," said Harper.

Like the Marquez brothers, he also kept warm by setting his own fire.

Despite the negativity surrounding the USC players, both parties said they are here to enjoy the game, and stay up until the fire burns out.

"El Paso doesn't have a lot of professional sports so this is it man; you have to come out," said Jesus Marquez, Angelo's brother.