Tetairoa McMillan's record performance lifts No. 21 Arizona to 61-39 win over New Mexico
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) tries to break a tackle from New Mexico cornerback Bobby Arnold III (0) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. Credit: AP/Darryl Webb
TUCSON, Ariz. — New Mexico had a plan in place to slow Tetairoa McMillan, one that included multiple coverages against Arizona's All-American receiver.
The Lobos lost track of McMillan on Arizona's opening drive, leading to a big play, and couldn't corral him no matter what they tried.
McMillan had a school-record 304 yards receiving and matched another with four touchdown catches — all from Noah Fifita — and No. 21 Arizona opened coach Brent Brennan's first season with a 61-39 win over New Mexico on Saturday night.
“We tried man, man with help, zone pressures,” New Mexico coach Bronco Mendenhall said. “They did a very good job of moving him around and we didn't do a very good job stopping him.”
The Wildcats (1-0) put on an offensive show in their first game as a Big 12 member, with McMillan and Fifita headlining.
Arizona's stars connected on a 69-yard touchdown on the Wildcats' opening drive and kept gouging New Mexico's defense for big chunks.
McMillan averaged 30.4 yards on 10 catches and broke the Arizona single-game record of 283 yards receiving set by Jeremy McDaniel in 1996. McMillan matched Jacob Cowing's touchdown catches record set against Southern California last season and fell 10 yards short of the Big 12 record set by Baylor's Terrance Williams in 2012.
Arizona defensive players Taye Brown, left; Chase Kennedy, right; and Tre Smith, lower right, puts pressure on New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. Credit: AP/Darryl Webb
Fifita finished with 422 yards and four touchdowns on 19-of-31 passing with an interception. Quali Conley ran for 90 yards and three touchdowns to round out an Arizona offense that racked up 627 total yards.
“I like the way we rallied in the second half and thought we played good team football,” Brennan said. “That's the rhythm that we need, complementing each other as we play.”
The Lobos (0-2) opened Mendenhall's first season by blowing a 17-point lead in a 35-31 loss to Montana last week.
New Mexico held its own against Arizona, at least offensively.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (11) looks to throws against New Mexico linebacker Dimitri Johnson (22) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. Credit: AP/Darryl Webb
Devon Dampier picked apart the Wildcats' defense, throwing for 260 yards and three touchdowns, adding 130 yards and two more scores rushing. He also threw two interceptions.
“When they're scoring, it's easy for an offense to not go out there and play 100%,” Dampier said. “To see our guys out there still trying to score a touchdown, that's all you can ask for.”
New Mexico's issue for the second straight week came on defense, particularly McMillan.
Arizona's first preseason AP All-American also had touchdown catches of 17 and 78 yards in the first half, then added a 40-yarder in the third quarter to help Arizona pull away after leading 27-24 at halftime.
The chemistry between Fifita and McMillan played a huge role in the high expectations for Arizona in Brennan's first season.
They opted to remain in Tucson instead of joining former coach Jedd Fisch, who left for Washington. Their decisions trickled into the rest of the roster, giving Brennan a stacked roster for his first season at Arizona after spending the previous nine at San Jose State. The Wildcats also were ranked in the AP preseason poll for the first time since 2015 and, at least through one game, lived up to the hype.
The takeaway
Arizona has plenty to clean up on defense, but there certainly no problems offensively with Fifita and McMillan putting on a show. The Wildcats have won nine straight games over two seasons, one short of the school record. New Mexico had some good flashes offensively, but struggled defensively after giving up 362 yards and three TDs against Montana State last week.
Davis ejected
Arizona cornerback Tacario Davis was expected to be one of the Big 12's best defensive backs, in part because of his aggressiveness.
But Davis' got two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, the second one leading to an ejection in the fourth quarter.
Up next
New Mexico: plays at Auburn on Sept. 14.
Arizona: hosts Northern Arizona next Saturday.
