Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona’s standout wide receiver, launched his much-anticipated junior season in spectacular fashion, setting the stage for what could be an unforgettable year. McMillan, who’s already on everyone’s radar as a preseason All-American and a projected first-round NFL draft pick, put on an absolute clinic with 304 receiving yards and four touchdowns on just 10 catches. His performance wasn’t just impressive—it was record-setting. In Arizona’s season opener against New Mexico, McMillan shattered the school record and led the No. 21 Wildcats to a thrilling 61-39 victory, marking a high-energy debut for Arizona in their first game as a member of the Big 12.
But let’s backtrack a bit because McMillan’s night was about more than just the numbers. Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 210 pounds, this guy was a matchup nightmare for New Mexico, torching their defense on explosive plays of 69, 17, 78, and 40 yards. He was inches away from a fifth touchdown but got tackled right at the 1-yard line. Talk about living on the edge! More than half of his yardage, a jaw-dropping 176 yards, came after the catch. That’s not just catching the ball; that’s taking the rock and turning on the afterburners.
To put his night in perspective, McMillan’s 304 receiving yards is the first 300-yard performance by a college receiver since Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s 347-yard game for Ohio State in the 2022 Rose Bowl. And let’s not forget, only five other FBS receivers have topped 300 yards over the past decade. McMillan’s effort also earned him the second-most receiving yards in a single game in Big 12 conference history—a pretty impressive start as Arizona makes its conference debut.
Even with his stellar performance, McMillan’s humility shined through. He battled back from a lower leg injury sustained in spring practice, which kept him off the field for much of the offseason. Reflecting on his return, McMillan shared, “These last four months, I've been grinding and ready to get back on the field. Being able to just play with my brothers again, it's just a true blessing. Regardless of the records, I'm just happy to be back on the field with my brothers.”
It wasn’t all smooth sailing, though. New Mexico didn’t roll over easily—they came to play. The Lobos kept the game close throughout the first half and even held a 24-17 lead late in the second quarter. But then McMillan reminded everyone why he’s special. With a 78-yard catch and run down the sideline, he electrified the crowd, tying the game in just three plays and shifting the momentum firmly in Arizona’s favor.
"T-Mac is obviously special, man," Arizona’s first-year head coach Brent Brennan said with a grin. "He's just something else." That might be an understatement. Brennan was effusive in his praise but also noted McMillan’s drive for constant improvement. "Those big explosives were just incredible. He outran the whole secondary on the big one down the sideline. He's awesome. He's an awesome competitor, and he's also not satisfied. He was like, 'We can play better.' That's what you hope for."
Arizona’s offense was clicking on all cylinders, racking up 627 total yards and averaging an eye-popping 11 yards per play. Quarterback Noah Fifita, McMillan’s former high school teammate, was on fire too, throwing for 422 yards. The Wildcats’ running game was no slouch either, with transfer running backs Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Quali Conley combining for 196 rushing yards and four touchdowns. It was an all-around offensive showcase, but McMillan was the undeniable star of the night.
McMillan’s ascent as one of college football’s premier playmakers began in 2023 when he caught 90 passes for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore, helping Arizona to a 10-win season and an Alamo Bowl victory. His breakout year firmly placed him among the top receivers in the nation, and expectations have only grown since then. Despite the departure of former head coach Jedd Fisch and his staff to Washington, both McMillan and Fifita chose to stay put in Arizona, resisting the allure of the transfer portal. Their commitment to the Wildcats speaks volumes about their loyalty and their belief in what they’re building in Tucson.
"Everybody in this building, the brotherhood we already had, the culture we had set in here, we just didn't want to leave this building," McMillan explained. "The legacy that we already had began over here, we wanted to continue this legacy. At the end of the day, we came to Tucson to be program changers. Hopefully, Tucson, y'all can find pride in our play."
And pride is exactly what Tucson felt as McMillan put on a show. His performance wasn’t just about individual records; it was about setting a tone for Arizona’s season. The Wildcats are looking to make waves in the Big 12, and with McMillan leading the charge, they’ve got all the tools to be a serious contender. So keep an eye out—because if this game was any indication, McMillan and the Wildcats are just getting started.
Login