Tetairoa McMillan’s Record Performance Lifts No. 21 Arizona to 61-39 Win Over New Mexico

Mike Christy / Arizona Athletics

Sport Recap: Soccer | 08/31/2024 | By JOHN MARSHALL

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) – Tetairoa McMillan had a school-record 304 yards receiving and matched one other with 4 landing 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 evening.

The Wildcats (1-0) placed on an offensive present of their first recreation as a Massive 12 member, with McMillan and Fifita headlining.

Arizona’s stars related on a 69-yard landing on the Wildcats’ opening drive and saved gouging New Mexico’s protection for large chunks.

McMillan averaged 30.4 yards on 10 catches and broke the Arizona single-game file of 283 yards receiving set by Jeremy McDaniel in 1996. McMillan matched Jacob Cowing’s landing catches file set in opposition to Southern California final season and fell 10 yards in need of the Massive 12 file set by Baylor’s Terrance Williams in 2012.

Fifita completed with 422 yards and 4 touchdowns on 19-of-31 passing with an interception. Quali Conley ran for 90 yards and three touchdowns to spherical out an Arizona offense that racked up 627 whole yards.

The Lobos (0-2) opened coach Bronco Mendenhall’s first season by blowing a 17-point lead in a 35-31 loss to Montana final week.

New Mexico’s difficulty for the second straight week got here on protection, notably McMillan.

Arizona’s first preseason AP All-American additionally had landing catches of 17 and 78 yards within the first half, then added a 40-yarder within the third quarter to assist Arizona draw back after main 27-24 at halftime.

The chemistry between Fifita and McMillan performed an enormous function within the excessive expectations for Arizona in Brennan’s first season.

UP NEXT
Arizona hosts Northern Arizona subsequent Saturday, September 7. Kickoff is ready for 7:00 p.m. MST on ESPN+. To buy tickets, go to azcats.co/FBtix.