Lightning, turquoise and big defense drew college football’s attention when New Mexico met North Dakota State

Before kickoff, lightning flashed above University Stadium in Albuquerque, delaying the biggest Group of Six game of the night. Thousands of fans were told to leave their seats, and when rain showered down, everyone rushed toward the exits.

“Maybe it wasn’t meant to be,” North Dakota State fan Jackie Marley said as she briskly walked out in the parking lot. Originally from Fargo, she took a quick flight from Phoenix, where she lives now, to meet with family and friends who came to the game from North Dakota. “They are never down here, so I decided to make the trip. It was worth it for such a big game.”

As she approached her car, a man walking toward the stadium noticed Marley and greeted her enthusiastically. “Hey, I remember you! Where are you going?” The two met hours earlier at Bow & Arrow Brewery, a popular Albuquerque hotspot owned by Shyla Sheppard, a citizen from the Three Affiliated Tribes. Dorian Aguilar, who is from Laguna Pueblo, assured Marley that the rain would pass. Soon after, an alert got to fans that the game would start in 30 minutes and people could soon reenter the stadium.

Perhaps it was meant to be.

With the skies suddenly clear for the new kickoff time, more than 35,000 watched a tight contest between two teams playing one another for the very first time. North Dakota State (6-2 overall, 3-2 in its first season in the Mountain West Conference) walked in with one of the nation’s best defenses, while New Mexico (6-1, 3-0 in the Mountain West) was running hot with one of the best teams it's ever fielded. Big-time college football environments rarely make their way to Albuquerque; the 21-16 win for New Mexico over North Dakota State gave the Lobos first place in the conference and a road to the college football playoff they may control.

Some of that credit went to the fans, who were also electric throughout the night.

“It’s very clear that [the fans] change our games — the atmosphere they bring is unmatched,” New Mexico safety Austin Brawley said. “There’s no reason it shouldn’t always be like that. We have true fans. I know it’s fun out there.”

Brawley ignited the crowd with a fourth-quarter interception he returned 57 yards for a touchdown, stopping a late North Dakota State drive and sealing the win for New Mexico that ushered in a large sigh of relief for most in the crowd.

Aguilar, who arrived with two cousins from Zuni Pueblo, got emotional from his seats on the 50-yard line. “I used to come to Lobos games with my dad when all these seats were empty. He’s gone now, but I know he’s happy,” Aguilar said, as a bolt of lightning struck behind the Sandia Mountains that dot the horizon miles from the stadium. “I wore this [turquoise] bracelet that was his because I saw they were going to wear turquoise jerseys.”

Indigeneity can be subtle and obvious, sometimes at the same time, but with eyes wide open it’s fairly clear that it is also everywhere. New Mexico is home to 23 tribal nations, and North Dakota has five large tribes. Saturday’s game was sponsored by a tribal sponsor, the Laguna Development Corporation. The University of New Mexico Native American Alumni Association hosted a tailgate and endzone seats for members. Even the jerseys worn by New Mexico are centered in the state’s Native cultural heritage.

More college and professional sports teams across the country are hosting cultural heritage events during games as promotions and a way to bridge communities. Over the weekend, Montana State played with helmets designed by Delano Falls Down, a citizen from Apsaalooke Nation and graphic design student at the university.

New Mexico will have its Native American Heritage Night on Nov. 14, but decided to bring out its Native-inspired turquoise jerseys for the big game against North Dakota State.

In 2025, New Mexico reintroduced their turquoise alternate uniforms, which immediately became some of the most popular fits in college football. The jerseys honor the state’s Native American culture and history, even featuring Pueblo Eagle Dancers during the promotional rollout.

New Mexico head coach Jason Eck said the Native American community is prominent and stands out to him in many ways.

“I think it’s a very special thing our community has here. Our guys’ favorite postgame meal is Laguna Burger,” he said, referencing the Pueblo-owned restaurant. “These turquoise jerseys that we wear that we like to bring out for big games, they represent the state and the community.”

New Mexico running back Kiefer Sibley had 91 yards rushing and scored a touchdown in the game against North Dakota State. He said the jerseys are special and liked how he looked in the mirror when we put it on for the first time.

“I didn’t know we had turquoise jerseys when I was in the portal. They showed me on a visit and it was crazy, they’re beautiful,” Sibley said. “I think I look good.”

As the rainy Saturday night turned into a late Sunday morning, Eck wrapped his press conference with another shout out to the Native communities in the state and extended an invitation for everyone from the 19 Pueblos, Navajo Nation and Apache tribes to the next home game on Nov. 14 against University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

“We’re very thankful for the Native American presence we have here and how they come and support our team,” Eck said. “And I want them to keep coming. It’s going to be a big game against UNLV for Indigenous Heritage Day, and hopefully everyone from across the state comes out to support us.”