Arizona junior All-American receiver Tetairoa McMillan set a program single-game record for receiving yards with 304 on 10 catches in the 61-39 win Saturday over New Mexico at Arizona Stadium.
He came 10 yards from the Big 12 record of 314 yards set by Baylor’s Terrance Williams against West Virginia in 2012.
Saturday’s victory marked the dawn of the Brent Brennan and Big 12 era.
ALLSPORTSTUCSON.COM’S STEVE RIVERA AND KEVIN MURPHY WILL SOON PROVIDE REPORTS ON ARIZONA’S SEASON-OPENING WIN
Jeremy McDaniel held the Arizona record of 283 yards against Cal for 28 years before Tetairoa McMillan's record-breaking performance tonight. https://t.co/9a3KdDeW7Y pic.twitter.com/Xc7RVFojku
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) September 1, 2024
The Noah Fifita-to-McMillan connection performed to expectations and then some.
McMillan’s 304 receiving yards broke the previous Arizona record of 283 yards set by Jeremy McDaniel in 1996 against California.
“It feels amazing,” McMillan told ESPN after the game. “The last four months, I’ve been grinding and getting 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.”
McMillan’s four touchdown receptions against the Lobos also ties the Arizona record that was set last year by Jacob Cowing at USC.
He also became the first Arizona receiver to surpass 200 yards in a game twice. He had 266 yards against Arizona State last season.
Fifita completed 19 of 31 pass attempts for 442 yards with all four of his touchdown passes to McMillan, his former Anaheim (Calif.) Servite High School teammate.
McMillan is at 2,408 yards receiving in his career on 139 catches. The school record of 3,351 yards (230 catches) is held by current receivers coach Bobby Wade, who played from 1999 to 2002.
“I told Coach Bobby when he first got here, ‘Get comfortable being second,'” McMillan said. “Me, personally, I think he’s the best receiver in Arizona history. He told me all-time records are supposed to be broken. I’m going for that top spot.”
Brennan told Brian Jeffries in the 1290-AM radio postgame show that “T-Mac is a brilliant football player.”
“Obviously, him and Noah have some great chemistry and I think that it’s really fun to watch him play,” he added. “He’s such a good pass catcher, and then has the ability to make big plays yards after the catch. I’m really glad he’s playing for the Wildcats.”
CAT CLAWS: Former Canyon del Oro running back Kayden Luke, a true freshman who has entered the program as a preferred walk-on, entered the game twice as a lead blocker in three rushing touchdown situations. … Luke’s teammate at CDO last year, offensive tackle Sa’Kylee Woodard, is a redshirt candidate at New Mexico this year. … Arizona NFL draft prospect Tacario Davis, a cornerback, committed two unsportsmanlike penalties, forcing his ejection from the game in the fourth quarter. He will not be punished by having to sit in the first half against NAU next week. That occurs only with targeting calls and fighting. … Former New Mexico RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt rushed for 106 yards on 13 carries, including a 36-yard touchdown run to cap the scoring of the game for Arizona. Quali Conley, another transfer who came with Brennan from San Jose State, rushed for 90 yards on 10 carries with three touchdowns.
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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He is a former Arizona Daily Star beat reporter for the Arizona basketball team, including when the Wildcats won the 1996-97 NCAA title. He has also written articles for CollegeAD.com, Bleacher Report, Lindy’s Sports, TucsonCitizen.com, The Arizona Republic, Sporting News and Baseball America, among many other publications. He has also authored the book “The Highest Form of Living”, which is available at Amazon. He became an educator in 2016 and is presently a special education teacher at Sunnyside High School in the Sunnyside Unified School District.
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