In a gripping contest on Saturday, the Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan managed to score a touchdown despite the team’s narrow 31-26 defeat to the West Virginia Mountaineers.
This marked McMillan’s first touchdown since his sensational four-touchdown performance in the opening game of the season.
With the Wildcats trailing significantly at 31-13 in the fourth quarter, Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita showcased his skill by launching a precise 34-yard pass directly into McMillan’s awaiting hands, narrowing the gap and cutting the Mountaineers’ lead to just 12 points.
Noah Fifita LAUNCHES to Tetairoa McMillan in the end zone for an @ArizonaFBall TD 🚀😤 pic.twitter.com/FACBWx0jRJ
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 27, 2024
In Arizona’s commanding 61-39 victory over the New Mexico Lobos during Week 1, McMillan dazzled fans by setting a new single-game receiving record for the Wildcats with an astounding 304 receiving yards alongside four touchdown receptions.
However, since that remarkable feat, McMillan had been uncharacteristically quiet on the field, unable to find the end zone in the subsequent games leading up to Saturday’s matchup.
In a valiant effort during the loss, McMillan recorded an impressive 10 receptions for 202 yards, marking his first return to the 200-yard receiving milestone since the season opener.
Meanwhile, Fifita had a solid performance, completing 21 of 31 passes for a total of 294 yards, contributing two touchdown tosses to the effort.
A slow start for the Wildcats
The Wildcats experienced a sluggish start to the match, quickly finding themselves in a 24-7 hole early in the third quarter, as a series of first-quarter missteps derailed any momentum they hoped to build.
Despite the early challenges, the Wildcats fought back valiantly, managing to close the gap to a mere five points with only 4:35 remaining in the game.
Ultimately, Arizona’s hopes for a comeback were thwarted as West Virginia systematically advanced down the field and managed to run out the clock, sealing the game with a final score of 31-26.
Now, the once-ranked No. 20 Wildcats find themselves in a tough position, having dropped four consecutive games and languishing with a disappointing 3-5 record as they look to regroup.
Interview with Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona Wildcats Wide Receiver
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Tetairoa. It was an intense game against West Virginia. Can you take us through that moment when you scored your touchdown?
Tetairoa McMillan: Absolutely, it was a huge moment for me. We were down by quite a bit, and I knew we had to make some plays to get back in it. Noah [Fifita] made an incredible throw, perfectly placed. I just focused on catching the ball and getting into the end zone. It felt good to help the team, even though the end result wasn’t what we wanted.
Editor: That touchdown was your first since that spectacular four-touchdown game in the season opener. What was it like to find the end zone again after that?
Tetairoa McMillan: It felt great to score again, especially after the high I had in that first game. I’ve been working hard with the team to stay focused and ready. Each game is a new challenge, but getting a touchdown always lifts your spirits and brings some momentum, even if it was in a loss.
Editor: You mentioned the team’s struggle, especially being down 31-13 in the fourth quarter. How did you and your teammates stay motivated during that tough stretch?
Tetairoa McMillan: We have a resilient group. We always believe in ourselves, no matter the score. Coach emphasizes that it’s not over until that final whistle blows. We kept pushing, trying to rally together. We knew we had the talent to make a comeback, and we just wanted to give it our all until the end.
Editor: Looking ahead, what’s the plan for the Wildcats in your upcoming games? What do you aim to improve on as a team?
Tetairoa McMillan: Our main focus is to tighten up our execution, especially in the first half of games. We don’t want to dig ourselves into a hole like we did against West Virginia. We’ve got to put together a complete game – offense, defense, and special teams. We’re taking it one week at a time and hoping to come back stronger next game.
Editor: Thanks for your time, Tetairoa. We wish you and the Wildcats the best of luck in your next match!
Tetairoa McMillan: Thank you! I appreciate it!
Interview with Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona Wildcats Wide Receiver
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Tetairoa. It was an intense game against West Virginia. Can you take us through that moment when you scored your touchdown?
Tetairoa McMillan: Absolutely, it was a huge moment for me. We were down by quite a bit, and I knew we had to make some plays to get back in it. Noah [Fifita] made an incredible throw, perfectly placed. I just focused on catching the ball and getting into the end zone. It felt good to help the team, even though the end result wasn’t what we wanted.
Editor: That touchdown was your first since that spectacular four-touchdown game in the season opener. What was it like to find the end zone again after that?
Tetairoa McMillan: It felt great to score again, especially after the high I had in that first game. I’ve been working hard with the team to stay focused and ready. Each game is a new challenge, but getting a touchdown always brings back that thrill. It’s a reminder of what we’re capable of achieving.
Editor: The game started off slow for the Wildcats, with the team trailing early. What was discussed in the locker room during halftime to help rally the team?
Tetairoa McMillan: At halftime, we knew we had to adjust our mindset. We focused on staying positive and believing in ourselves. We discussed taking it one play at a time and trusting each other to make the right plays. Coming back from a deficit is tough, but we’re committed to fighting until the final whistle.
Editor: After this game, the Wildcats have dropped four straight and are sitting at 3-5. What’s the plan moving forward to turn the season around?
Tetairoa McMillan: We need to regroup and focus on the details. Every practice, every meeting—it all counts. We’re going to take it game by game, keep working hard, and support each other. I believe in this team, and we have the talent to finish strong. We’re all in this together, and we’ll keep pushing.
Editor: Thank you, Tetairoa, for sharing your insights. Best of luck for the rest of the season!
Tetairoa McMillan: Thank you! I appreciate it. Go Wildcats!
