Tetairoa McMillan (304 receiving yards) helps No. 21 Arizona outlast New Mexico

Field Level Media|published: Sun 1st September, 02:52 2024

Aug 31, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) celebrates a touchdown during first quarter at Arizona Stadium. at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-USA TODAY Sports

Tetairoa McMillan caught 10 passes for a school-record 304 yards and four touchdowns to help No. 21 Arizona pull away to beat New Mexico 61-39 on Saturday night in Tucson, Ariz.

McMillan, a preseason first-team AP All-American, scored on a 69-yard reception on Arizona's third snap of the game and never stopped. He added scoring receptions of 17, 78 and 40 yards, in addition to a 31-yard gain in which he was pulled down at the 1.

New Mexico (0-2) stayed close through the first half, thanks to athletic quarterback Devon Dampier, who accounted for five touchdowns. The Lobos were up 24-17 before Arizona (1-0) scored the final 10 points of the first half and added three more touchdowns in the third quarter.

Dampier completed 24 of 42 passes for 260 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed for 130 yards and two scores for the Lobos, who lost their opener 35-31 at home to Montana State last week.

Arizona's Noah Fifita completed 19 of 31 passes for 422 yards to help coach Brent Brennan win his debut with the Wildcats, who were playing their first game as a member of the Big 12 Conference.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, in his first season at Arizona after transferring from New Mexico, rushed for 106 yards on 13 carries, scoring on a 36-yard run with 2:24 to go. Arizona's Quali Conley, who followed Brennan from San Jose State, rushed for 90 yards and three touchdowns on 10 carries.

McMillian broke the school record of 283 receiving yards, held by Jeremy McDaniel against California in a four-overtime game on Nov. 2, 1996. McMillan was 10 yards short of the Big 12 single-game record of 314, set by Baylor's Terrance Williams against West Virginia on Sept. 29, 2012.

McMillan had 208 yards and three touchdowns at halftime, but the Wildcats had to scramble for the final 10 points of the half to take a 27-24. Tyler Loop connected on a 46-yard field goal with 30 seconds left in the half to give Arizona the lead. Loop also hit from 54 in the first half.

--Field Level Media