It wasn’t a stress-free contest to open up the Brent Brennan era at Arizona, but the No. 21-ranked Wildcats handled their business against New Mexico on Saturday, beating the Lobos 61-39 at Arizona Stadium.
Here are notable storylines, statistics and quotes from the Wildcats’ win over the Lobos:
Arizona tight end Keyan Burnett (88) has a pat on the hat for teammate Tetairoa McMillan (4) after his fourth touchdown of the night against New Mexico at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., August 31, 2024.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
T-Mac’s historic day
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita claimed that his longtime buddy Tetairoa McMillan is not only the best wide receiver in college football but the best player in college football overall.
McMillan certainly looked the part of being one of the best players in the country Saturday. After spending the last four months rehabbing and recovering from a leg injury he suffered in the latter part of the spring practice schedule, McMillan showed the best version of himself and put up the best statistical performance ever by an Arizona receiver.
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McMillan set a school record with 304 receiving yards on 10 catches and four touchdowns, which tied the UA record. It’s also the second-most receiving yards in Big 12 history behind Baylor’s Terrance Williams (314 yards).
McMillan is the first player in FBS history to have 10-plus catches, over 300 receiving yards, average over 30 yards per catch and have four or more touchdowns in a game, according to OptaStats. McMillan’s 176 yards after catch alone would’ve been the second-most receiving yards by the star receiver since joining Arizona. In the last three games, including his 266-yard performance against Arizona State last season, McMillan has 31 catches for 730 yards and five touchdowns.
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, left, and quarterback Noah Fifita celebrate after McMillan’s catch-and-run score in the third quarter against New Mexico.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
“He’s the best player in the country and his statistics showed that,” said Fifita, who passed for 422 yards, four touchdowns and an interception.
McMillan’s four touchdowns on Saturday were for 69, 17, 78, and 40 yards.
“Those big, explosive (plays) were just incredible,” Brennan said. “He outran the whole secondary on that big one down the sideline. He’s awesome and an awesome competitor. He’s also not satisfied, like, ‘We can play better.’ It’s what you hope for.”
Although Arizona was hoping to find other playmaking pass-catchers to complement McMillan, no matter how many times New Mexico adjusted its defense to cancel McMillan’s explosive plays, he found a way to break open. According to Pro Football Focus, the 6-5 McMillan played nine snaps at slot receiver on Saturday.
“They did a really nice job moving him around,” New Mexico head coach Bronco Mendenhall told the Albuquerque Journal. “We didn’t have answers — not effective answers. And when we did, we didn’t execute them well enough.”
McMillan is now 944 yards away from passing Arizona wide receivers coach Bobby Wade for most career receiving yards by a Wildcat.
“I told Coach Bobby when he first got here, ‘Get comfortable being second,'” McMillan told the ESPN broadcast after the game. “Me personally, I think he’s the best receiver in Arizona history. He tells all the time that records are supposed to be broken, and I’m coming for that top spot.”
Arizona defensive back Treydan Stukes looks for room to run after picking off a pass against New Mexico on Saturday night.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Defense shakes off wobbly performance
New Mexico’s 39 points are the most Arizona has allowed in a regulation game since its loss to Utah in 2022. The Lobos’ 471 yards of total offense are the most Arizona has surrendered in a regular-season game since its loss to national runner-up Washington last season.
Arizona had 16 missed tackles on Saturday, according to PFF, and struggled to contain dual-threat quarterback Devon Dampier, who was responsible for 83% of New Mexico’s offense with 390 total yards. Brennan linked the missed tackles to Arizona holding back on “live football” in practice “because you’re concerned about losing a good player and not getting him to the game.”
Arizona linebacker Kamuela Ka’aihue (18) grabs New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier (4) on his scramble up the middle at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., August 31, 2024.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
The Wildcats also played 13 defensive linemen on Saturday, and only one of them, Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei, who started at defensive tackle, was a part of Arizona’s rotation throughout the entirety of last season. After replacing nine scholarship defensive linemen last season, the Wildcats sometimes platooned the defensive line.
Arizona defensive backs Genesis Smith and Treydan Stukes each had two interceptions, which unsheathed the UA’s turnover sword, but the Wildcats still have plenty of room for improvement on defense.
“Our defense is fantastic,” said Fifita. “People can say what they want about them. But they’re fighters and they’re always going to get back, because of the leaders on that team, which is (defensive coordinator Duane Akina) and Jacob Manu. No worries about that. We know when we struggle, they’re going to pick us up as well.”
Tyler Loop, one of the nation’s best, is on pace to leave Arizona as the most accurate kicker in school history.
Mamta Popat, Arizona Daily Star
Loop sets personal record
Arizona senior kicker Tyler Loop made both of his field-goal attempts, including a career-long 54 yards in the second quarter. His predecessor, Lucas Havrisik, owns the record with two 57-yard field goals.
Loop easily made a 46-yarder to give Arizona a 27-24 lead going into the halftime break. He was also a perfect 7 for 7 on PATs, and all 11 of his kickoff attempts were touchbacks.
“He’s such a powerful and confident kid and I’m really happy for him,” Brennan said. “He had a great night.”
By the numbers
8: Arizona has now won eight straight games going back to last season, which is its most since the end of the 1997 season and start of the ’98 season.
627: Yards of total offense for Arizona, which is tied for the eighth-most for a UA team.
106: Rushing yards for Arizona running back and former Lobo Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
3: Touchdowns by running back Quali Conley scored on Saturday, a career-high for the San Jose State transfer. Former UA running back Jonah Coleman also scored three touchdowns, along with 127 rushing yards, in Washington’s 35-3 win over Weber State to help ex-Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch secure his first win at UW.
44,748: Announced attendance at Arizona Stadium.
They said it
Brennan, on his message to the team at halftime: “The biggest thing I talked to them (about) was, ‘Stop worrying about the outcome and worry about right now. Stop looking at the scoreboard — just play football.’ … Everyone can play. Some teams are better than others. Some teams have better players than others, but everyone can play.”
Fifita, on starting off the Brennan era with a win: “It’s a big-time win for the team and we’re extremely excited about it. We’re not content. There’s a lot of things we gotta fix on both sides of the ball. Offensively, too many mental errors on my part. I gotta be better in that phase. We’ll learn from it, we’ll get better, but we’re extremely excited to get Coach Brennan his first win.”
Conley, on Arizona’s 177 rushing yards in the second half after rushing for 28 in the first half: “We felt like we weren’t being physical enough. We went into halftime talking about, ‘We have to run the ball efficiently.’ We came out and did that.”
Conley, on walk-on and former Canyon del Oro star Kayden Luke, who was a fullback and blocker on three touchdown runs: “We call him Big Red. He’s just energetic and comes out with juice. Every time he comes in, the whole offense gets pumped because he put in the work during practice and in the weight room. He’s a freshman, state champion in wrestling and his presence helps the offense.”
Fifita, on overcoming the first-half struggles: “We learned that we can go through adversity. We learned that when tough times come, we can lean on each other. At the end of the day, we still have the ability to win. … You will all see a much more disciplined and much better team throughout the rest of the season.”
Injury report
Arizona left tackle Rhino Tapa’toutai, in his first game as the successor to Jordan Morgan, exited the game with a leg injury. Arizona’s tackles to end the game on Saturday were freshman Matthew Lado and Jonah Savaiinaea.
After missing most of training camp, right guard Leif Magnuson returned to the lineup in the first half after San Jose State transfer Ryan Stewart started the first few drives.
Memphis transfer defensive lineman Jarra Anderson, Oregon transfer tackle Michael Wooten, second-year linebacker Leviticus Su’a and junior-college transfer cornerback Johno Price were held out.
Looking ahead
The Wildcats (1-0) face in-state FCS counterpart Northern Arizona (1-0) on Saturday in Tucson, which will only be available to watch on ESPN+, the first non-linear TV The Lumberjacks beat Lincoln, an independent travel-ball college in Oakland, California, 66-6 in Flagstaff.
Following McMillan’s performance, the Arizona receiver will be in contention for Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week. Loop could also receive Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Photos: Arizona Wildcats defeat New Mexico 61-39 in ’24 college football opener
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) turns and burns for the end zone after beating New Mexico cornerback Cam Watts (18) in the first quarter in their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., August 31, 2024. It was McMillan’s second scoring catch of the game.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) lets go a scream after getting wide open for a touchdown catch against New Mexico in the first quarter in their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., August 31, 2024.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona defensive back Marquis Groves-Killebrew (20) comes in to keep New Mexico wide receiver Shawn Miller (14) from making a catch along the sidelines in the second quarter in their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., August 31, 2024.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona defensive back Marquis Groves-Killebrew (20) gets called for pass interference defending the long throw to New Mexico defensive lineman Tyler Kiehne.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier (4) stiff arms his way out of reach of Arizona defensive lineman Tre Smith (3) and avoiding a sack in the second quarter in their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., August 31, 2024.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona defensive back Genesis Smith (12) rips off his helmet after snaring an interception against New Mexico in the second quarter. Smith was charged with an unsportsmanlike penalty for the celebration.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Arizona players take a knee in the south end zone just before facing New Mexico at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., August 31, 2024.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona defensive back Treydan Stukes looks for room to run after picking off a pass against New Mexico on Saturday night.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) sidesteps New Mexico cornerback Bobby Arnold III (0) for a few more yards after catch in their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., August 31, 2024.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona defensive lineman Keanu Mailoto (95) flushes New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier (4) out of the pocket and into a scramble at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., August 31, 2024.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona defensive back Emmanuel Karnley (23) puts the pressure on New Mexico wide receiver Luke Wysong (15), and getting him out of bounds before the catch in the fourth quarter in their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., August 31, 2024.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
New Mexico safety Christian Ellis (8) gets the only touch on Arizona running back Quali Conley (7) as the scoots to a touchdown in the third quarter in their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., August 31, 2024.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona tight end Keyan Burnett (88) has a pat on the hat for teammate Tetairoa McMillan (4) after his fourth touchdown of the night against New Mexico at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., August 31, 2024.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, left, and quarterback Noah Fifita celebrate after McMillan’s catch-and-run score in the third quarter against New Mexico.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
New Mexico wide receiver Ryan Davis (18) sprawls but can’t make the catch with Arizona defensive back Tacario Davis (1) pressuring him in their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., August 31, 2024.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan hops out of the hands of New Mexico safety Noa Polo-Gates (34) and down to the 1-yard line in the third quarter in UA’s 61-39 win in the season opener.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Arizona running back Quali Conley (7) skips between New Mexico safety Noa Polo-Gates (34) , left, and New Mexico linebacker Mihalis Santorineos (11) for a touchdown in the third quarter in their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., August 31, 2024.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona running back Quali Conley (7) flips the ball to the back judge after rambling for touchdown against New Mexico in the fourth quarter in their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., August 31, 2024.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt checks for pursuit as he leaves everybody in his wake on the way to the end zone against New Mexico in the fourth quarter.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Arizona defensive back Emmanuel Karnley (23), left, linebacker Kamuela Ka’aihue (18) and defensive lineman Cyrus Durham (99) swarm over New Mexico running back Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters (30) in the fourth quarter in their game at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., August 31, 2024.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona linebacker Kamuela Ka’aihue (18) grabs New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier (4) on his scramble up the middle at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., August 31, 2024.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona head coach Brent Brennan hugs running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (1) during the Wildcats’ warm-ups before the game against New Mexico in Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., August 31, 2024.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
New Mexico safety Christian Ellis (8) dives to intercept a deflected pass in the second quarter in their game against Arizona at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., August 31, 2024.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona defensive back Dalton Johnson, left, gets the barest of touches in trying to stop New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier in the fourth quarter of their game Saturday at Arizona Stadium.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Arizona head coach Brent Brennan exchanges high fives with fans on his first Wildcat Walk as the team heads into Arizona Stadium for the season opener against New Mexico, Tucson, Ariz., August 31, 2024.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona offensive lineman Leif Magnuson (65) reaches out to touch the Button Salmon bust at the Wildcats arrive at Arizona Stadium for the season opener against New Mexico, Tucson, Ariz., August 31, 2024.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Contact Justin Spears, the Star’s Arizona football beat reporter, at [email protected]. On X(Twitter): @JustinESports
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Publish date : 2024-08-31 13:00:00
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