TUCSON, Ariz. – In a spectacular season opener, Tetairoa McMillan set a new school record with 304 receiving yards and tied another with four touchdown receptions as No. 21 Arizona triumphed 61-39 over New Mexico on Saturday night. This game marked the beginning of coach Brent Brennan’s first season with the Wildcats.
Arizona (1-0) showcased a powerful offense in their debut as a member of the Big 12, driven by the impressive performances of McMillan and quarterback Noah Fifita. The duo connected for a notable 69-yard touchdown on Arizona’s very first drive and continued to exploit gaps in New Mexico’s defense throughout the game.
McMillan’s performance included an average of 30.4 yards on 10 receptions, surpassing the previous single-game record of 283 yards held by Jeremy McDaniel since 1996. He also matched Jacob Cowing’s record for touchdown catches set during last season’s game against Southern California, falling just 10 yards shy of the Big 12 record of 314 receiving yards established by Terrance Williams of Baylor in 2012.
Fifita contributed significantly, throwing for 422 yards and four touchdowns on 19-of-31 passing, despite throwing one interception. Running back Quali Conley complemented the offense with 90 rushing yards and three touchdowns, aiding Arizona in amassing a total of 627 yards.
New Mexico (0-2) faced their second consecutive loss under coach Bronco Mendenhall, having previously squandered a 17-point lead in a 35-31 defeat against Montana the week prior. Once again, the Lobos struggled defensively, particularly against McMillan.
The first preseason AP All-American for Arizona, McMillan caught touchdown passes of 17 and 78 yards in the first half and added a 40-yarder in the third quarter, helping the Wildcats extend their lead after a close 27-24 halftime score.
The remarkable synergy between Fifita and McMillan is fueling expectations for a successful season in Brennan’s inaugural year as head coach.
Looking ahead, Arizona will face Northern Arizona next Saturday, September 7, with the kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. MST on ESPN+. Tickets are available for purchase at azcats.co/FBtix.