Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers’ rookies spark historic rally

TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Tetairoa McMillan caught six passes for 73 yards in the Carolina Panthers' 27-24 win against the Miami Dolphins Oct. 5, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium.

Down 17-0 with 6:57 remaining in the first half, the Carolina Panthers faced fourth-and-5 situation at the Miami Dolphins’ 48. 

Bryce Young dropped back and averted a sack to keep the play alive. Downfield, rookie Tetairoa McMillan followed the “scramble rules” and worked his way open. Young discovered enough space to throw a pass that the diving McMillan hauled in for a 21-yard gain. Five plays later, Young connected with Xavier Legette on a 7-yard touchdown pass, sparking a rally the Panthers finished off after converting on their second fourth-and-five play late in the fourth quarter.

The follow-up effort was executed by first-year wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr., who made a tough, acrobatic play in his NFL debut. 

Two plays later, Young hit rookie tight end Mitchell Evans on a 4-yard touchdown pass with 2:03 remaining to lift the Panthers to a 27-24 win Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. It was the third time in franchise history that Carolina (2-3) rallied from a 17-point deficit to earn a victory. 

Panthers coach Dave Canales credited the rookies for the spark. 

“We’re counting on them,” he said. “I’ve seen them make strides every week. I’m proud of this group after a sloppy first half. I felt the maturity of this group. You are going to face adversity. We can make it harder on ourselves by the decisions (we make.)” 

Or easier. 

Big plays create big comeback 

Through the first four games, the Panthers lacked explosive plays – completions of at least 16 yards and rushes of 12 yards. They entered Sunday ranked No. 28 with just 18 explosive plays. 

Against the Dolphins, the Panthers’ big-play ability showed up with Rico Dowdle, starting for an injured Chub Hubbard, compiling 206 rushing yards and a touchdown. Fueled by runs of 53 and 43 yards, Dowdle secured a tie for the second-most rushing yards in team history, matching Jonathan Stewart. 

“I saw us take a step in staying together,” Canales said. 

McMillan, who finished with six catches on eight targets for 73 yards Sunday, needed to make a big play. While entering Sunday as the Panthers’ leading receiver, the No. 8 overall draft pick last April endured some early growing pains. On one play during last week’s loss at New England, McMillan switched spots along the formation three times before Young directed the rookie to the correct spot. On his initial 35 targets, McMillan hauled in just 18 passes.

He offered no excuses. 

“I’m my biggest fan and my biggest critic,” McMillan said Wednesday. “It’s my first season, whatever, but that’s not an excuse. I try not to use that excuse and it shouldn’t be an excuse. 
 
“I’m definitely not happy about a few missed opportunities that I’ve had in the past couple of games. And I feel like that’s just me, just trying to do too much, just overthinking. I think the biggest thing for me is after those missed opportunities is just trying to go make the next play, the opportunity that comes after that it’s my job to go make it.” 

Rookies play with maturity

Along with McMillan, other first-year players took center stage during the rally. 

McMillan called Horn’s 17-yard contested reception on fourth down “arguably the biggest play of the game. When his name got called, he showed up.” 

Inactive for the first four games, Horn, a sixth-round draft pick, caught two passes on three targets for 21 yards. He also rushed the ball twice for 10 yards. 

“Jimmy Horn coming through in a big, big way,” Canales said. “It was one of our bread-and-butter concepts. There was a defender there. He tried to make a play and Jimmy got up there and snatched it away from him.”

When Dowdle limped to the sideline late in the fourth quarter, Trevor Etienne gained 17 yards on two carries, including a 12-yarder that set the Panthers up at the 4. Young hit Evans for the game-winning TD on the next play. 

“They rely on us (rookies) to make plays,” McMillan said. “They didn’t draft us for no reason. When our turn comes, it’s time to make plays. Shout out to all the rookies. They were a bit part of our success today.”

Will that continue in the future? 

If McMillan continues to average nearly 70 yards per game, he could finish among the top 10 rookie receivers in league history. If he can cut down on the mistakes, that is. 

“Just staying confident is the biggest thing for me,” McMillan said. “People make mistakes. We’re not perfect.” 

Maybe not, but McMillan, Horn, Etienne and Evans made the plays they needed to lift the Panthers. 

“We talk to our guys, especially the young guys,” Canales said. “We talk to them out of respect that we’re counting on you to do your job.” 

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