PONTIAC, Mich. — While BYU football fans were obviously disappointed with the outcome of the Dec. 27 Motor City Bowl, members living in and around the greater-Detroit area called the Cougars' visit a special, even inspiring, experience.

BYU may have stumbled on the Pontiac Silverdome turf — losing 21-3 to the unbeaten Marshall Thundering Herd — but the game offered thousands of Church members a chance to gather, celebrate and cheer together, said Thomas C. Bithell, president of the Bloomfield Hills Michigan Stake.

"It was an enjoyable game and a great experience for us in the middle section of the country to have a whole (BYU) rooting section of Mormons and their non-Mormon friends," Pres. Bithell said.

Pres. Bithell, who attended the bowl game with a non-LDS Notre Dame grad, added the Cougars' visit was "very good for the community . . . and a very positive thing for the Church."

The Church had established a positive image in the Michigan area prior to the Motor City Bowl while Church member George Romney served decades ago as the state's governor and during the recent dedication of the Detroit Michigan Temple, Pres. Bithell said.

A Sunday fireside at Bloomfield Hills Michigan Stake Center was a highlight for members traveling to Pontiac to watch the Monday game. Elder Merrill J. Bateman, a member of the Seventy and President of BYU, spoke at the fireside, along with coach Lavell Edwards and team members Setema Gali and Jeff Holtry.

More than 2,000 adults and young people from several areas of the country squeezed into the stake center — including many who were not LDS. "They were all thrilled with what they heard," Pres. Bithell said.

About 1,500 BYU fans gathered at the stake center the morning of the game for a breakfast pep-rally.

The nationally televised game was expected to be a high-scoring contest between two highly regarded offenses. But No. 11 Marshall scored the first half's only touchdown, leading 7-3 at the break. The Thundering Herd's defense stifled the Cougar offense in the second half, while scoring touchdowns in both the third and fourth quarters.

Despite BYU's loss, Pres. Bithell said his Motor City Bowl experience offered unexpected rewards. By coincidence, Pres. Bithell met a Church member from Oklahoma named Dee Bithell sitting across the aisle from him at the stadium. After the game, the two Bithells returned to Pres. Bithell's home to compare family history records.