Nashville, TN — December 30, 2025
In a thrilling back-and-forth affair at Nissan Stadium, the Illinois Fighting Illini edged the No. 23 Tennessee Volunteers 30-28 in the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl, capping the game with a dramatic 29-yard field goal by David Olano as time expired.The victory marks Illinois' second consecutive bowl win and improves their record to 9-4 on the season, achieving back-to-back nine-win campaigns for the first time in program history under head coach Bret Bielema. Tennessee, despite a valiant late surge, finishes 8-5, closing out a disappointing end to a season that saw high expectations after a playoff appearance the previous year.Quarterback Luke Altmyer, playing in his final collegiate game, was the hero for the Illini. He orchestrated a crucial 13-play, 64-yard drive in the final 4:58, consuming clock and positioning Olano for the game-winner. Altmyer finished with 196 passing yards, 54 rushing yards, one passing touchdown, and one rushing score—earning widespread praise as the game's MVP."It's an unbelievable feeling," Altmyer said postgame. "This team fought all year, and to end it like this, with a game-winning drive... it's special."
The game featured wild momentum swings. Tennessee struck first with a 7-yard touchdown run by quarterback Joey Aguilar early in the contest. Illinois responded with a tying touchdown pass from Altmyer to Justin Bowick and took a 10-7 halftime lead on an Olano field goal.The third quarter saw Illinois pull ahead on a strip-sack fumble returned for a touchdown and Altmyer's 2-yard rushing score, building a 24-14 advantage. Tennessee clawed back with running back DeSean Bishop's touchdown plunges, trimming the deficit.The fourth quarter exploded with excitement. Olano booted another field goal to make it 27-21 Illinois. Bishop scored again to pull Tennessee within three, setting the stage for Joakim Dodson's electrifying 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown—the Vols' first kickoff return TD in a bowl since 1984—giving Tennessee a 28-27 lead with under five minutes remaining.But Illinois refused to fold. Altmyer's composure on the final drive, aided by key conversions including an offsides penalty on Tennessee, sealed the upset.
Defensively, Illinois dominated much of the game, holding Tennessee to 278 total yards and forcing pressure on Aguilar throughout. The Vols struggled against winning teams all season (0-5), and opt-outs from key players on both sides contributed to an unpredictable, high-energy contest.For Tennessee, coached by Josh Heupel, the loss extends a frustrating bowl history in Nashville—they are now 1-3 all-time in the Music City Bowl. Aguilar and the ground game showed flashes, with Bishop rushing effectively, but the defense couldn't secure the stop when it mattered most.Illinois' win adds to a growing resume under Bielema, who has revitalized the program with physical, opportunistic football. The Illini now boast consecutive bowl victories, following last year's Cheez-It Citrus Bowl triumph over South Carolina.As the clock hit zero in Nashville, the Fighting Illini celebrated a hard-fought victory to close out 2025, while Tennessee heads into the offseason searching for answers after another late-season stumble.
Final Score:
Illinois Fighting Illini 30
Tennessee Volunteers 28Key Stats:
The game featured wild momentum swings. Tennessee struck first with a 7-yard touchdown run by quarterback Joey Aguilar early in the contest. Illinois responded with a tying touchdown pass from Altmyer to Justin Bowick and took a 10-7 halftime lead on an Olano field goal.The third quarter saw Illinois pull ahead on a strip-sack fumble returned for a touchdown and Altmyer's 2-yard rushing score, building a 24-14 advantage. Tennessee clawed back with running back DeSean Bishop's touchdown plunges, trimming the deficit.The fourth quarter exploded with excitement. Olano booted another field goal to make it 27-21 Illinois. Bishop scored again to pull Tennessee within three, setting the stage for Joakim Dodson's electrifying 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown—the Vols' first kickoff return TD in a bowl since 1984—giving Tennessee a 28-27 lead with under five minutes remaining.But Illinois refused to fold. Altmyer's composure on the final drive, aided by key conversions including an offsides penalty on Tennessee, sealed the upset.
Defensively, Illinois dominated much of the game, holding Tennessee to 278 total yards and forcing pressure on Aguilar throughout. The Vols struggled against winning teams all season (0-5), and opt-outs from key players on both sides contributed to an unpredictable, high-energy contest.For Tennessee, coached by Josh Heupel, the loss extends a frustrating bowl history in Nashville—they are now 1-3 all-time in the Music City Bowl. Aguilar and the ground game showed flashes, with Bishop rushing effectively, but the defense couldn't secure the stop when it mattered most.Illinois' win adds to a growing resume under Bielema, who has revitalized the program with physical, opportunistic football. The Illini now boast consecutive bowl victories, following last year's Cheez-It Citrus Bowl triumph over South Carolina.As the clock hit zero in Nashville, the Fighting Illini celebrated a hard-fought victory to close out 2025, while Tennessee heads into the offseason searching for answers after another late-season stumble.
Final Score:
Illinois Fighting Illini 30
Tennessee Volunteers 28Key Stats:
- Illinois: 417 total yards, Altmyer 196 pass/54 rush
- Tennessee: 278 total yards, Dodson 94-yard KOR TD
- Time of Possession: Illinois 34:12, Tennessee 25:48