Photos: Arizona Wildcats defeat New Mexico 61-39 in '24 college football opener
In their first game representing the Big 12, and first game under coach Brent Brennan, the Arizona Wildcats defeated New Mexico 61-39 behind a 10-catch, 304-yard, four-touchdown performance from wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Tucson.
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan had 10 catches for 304 yards and four touchdowns in the season-opening 61-39 win over visiting New Mexico on Saturday.
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan lets go a scream after getting wide open for a touchdown catch against New Mexico in the first quarter at Arizona Stadium, Aug. 31, 2024.
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.
Arizona defensive back Marquis Groves-Killebrew (20) gets called for pass interference defending the long throw to New Mexico defensive lineman Tyler Kiehne.
New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier, left, stiff-arms his way out of the reach of Arizona defensive lineman Tre Smith to avoid a sack in the Wildcats’ season opener on Aug. 31 in Tucson.
Arizona defensive back Genesis Smith, right, rips off his helmet after snaring a second-quarter interception in the Wildcats’ season opener against New Mexico on Aug. 31, 2024.
Arizona players take a knee in the south end zone just before facing New Mexico at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., August 31, 2024.
Arizona defensive back Treydan Stukes looks for room to run after picking off a pass against New Mexico on Saturday night.
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, right, sidesteps New Mexico cornerback Bobby Arnold III for a few more yards after a catch in Saturday’s game.
Arizona defensive lineman Keanu Mailoto flushes New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier out of the pocket and into a scramble on Saturday. Dampier hurt UA with his arm and legs.
Arizona defensive back Emmanuel Karnley (23) puts the pressure on New Mexico wide receiver Luke Wysong (15), getting him out of bounds before the catch in the fourth quarter at Arizona Stadium, Aug. 31.
New Mexico safety Christian Ellis gets the only touch on Arizona running back Quali Conley as the scoots to a touchdown in the third quarter Saturday in Tucson.
Arizona tight end Keyan Burnett (88) has a pat on the hat for teammate Tetairoa McMillan (4) after McMillan's fourth touchdown of the night against New Mexico on Aug. 31 at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, left, and quarterback Noah Fifita celebrate after McMillan’s catch-and-run score in the third quarter of the Wildcats’ season-opener against New Mexico, Aug. 31, 2024.
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.
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 on Aug. 31, 2024, at Arizona Stadium.
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.
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.
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 on Aug. 31, 2024, at Arizona Stadium. It would be the only game Croskey-Merritt would play for the Wildcats.
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 in the fourth quarter of UA’s 61-39 win.
Arizona linebacker Kamuela Ka’aihue, right, grabs New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier on his scramble up the middle.
Arizona head coach Brent Brennan hugs running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt during the Wildcats’ warm-ups before the UA’s season-opening victory over New Mexico Saturday at Arizona Stadium.
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.
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.
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.
Arizona offensive lineman Leif Magnuson (65) reaches out to touch the Button Salmon bust as the Wildcats arrive at Arizona Stadium for the season opener against New Mexico, Aug. 31, 2024.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
Tetairoa McMillan set an Arizona record for single-game receiving yards and helped the Wildcats start the Brent Brennan era with a win.
Jon Wilner's instant reaction to five weekend developments — from ASU sizzling in Kenny Dillingham's second opener, a huge night from Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan, debuts from Brent Brennan (Arizona), Jedd Fisch (Washington), DeShaun Foster (UCLA) and more.
Jonah Savaiinaea's versatility "is going to help our football team tremendously this year and it's also going to help him when he moves on to the next level."
Pertinent storylines, statistics, quotes and in-depth information from No. 21 Arizona's season-opening win over New Mexico in Tucson.