Kansas State's Defense Has Their Hands Full With Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan

Aug 31, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; New Mexico Lobos safety Christian Ellis (8) chases after Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) as he runs for the touchdown during first quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
Aug 31, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; New Mexico Lobos safety Christian Ellis (8) chases after Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) as he runs for the touchdown during first quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images / Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

The Kansas State Wildcats are not faced with an easy matchup in their shortened week, as the defense must account for wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.

McMillan, the junior wideout, is regarded as one of the best in the country, exceeding expectations in Arizona's matchup against New Mexico. He recorded 10 receptions for 304 yards and four touchdowns. It was the first 300-yard performance since Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba tallied 347 receiving yards in the 2022 Rose Bowl.

Here's what a few K-State team members had to say about facing McMillan:

DB Marques Sigle: "He takes a lot of space with his size and his wingspan. He can go up and get a jump ball. He can create some space away from you. We just have to have tight coverage, stick to him." 

Coach Chris Klieman: "Yeah, he's phenomenal. You know you watched him last year make plays, and then the first game this year against New Mexico he exploited every time they had a chance to go to him one-on-one," Klieman said. "Those two are in sync. The quarterback and wide receiver are as in tune and have as good chemistry as any two I've ever faced."

The Arizona-Kansas State games kicks off at 8:00 PM EST on Friday.


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Anthony Pasciolla is a contributing writer to K-State On SI. He can be reached at ampasciolla@gmail.com or followed on X @AnthonyPasci.

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Twitter: @KStateOnSI


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Anthony Pasciolla
ANTHONY PASCIOLLA

Anthony Pasciolla is a sports journalist who began covering the NBA in June 2023. A Philadelphia native, Anthony has experience covering the Philadelphia 76ers as a credentialed reporter. He has written for Miami Heat, Back In The Day Hoops, Kansas State Wildcats, and Illinois Fighting Illini on Sports Illustrated. His work also includes 76ers coverage for The Sporting News and previous stories for Athlon Sports and BasketballNews. When he’s not covering the NBA, you can find him spending time with friends and family or diving into the world of fantasy football. Follow him on X @AnthonyPasci or reach him via email at ampasciolla@gmail.com