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Illinois victory over Tennessee in Music City Bowl keeps Big Ten unbeaten this bowl season
Dec
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — On the eve of the Music City Bowl, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema reminded his players that they were on the brink of something historic. By the end of Tuesday night, his team had done more than listen — they delivered.
David Olano drilled a 29-yard field goal as time expired, lifting Illinois to a dramatic 30–28 victory over Tennessee and capping a 9–4 season that included multiple program milestones. The Fighting Illini not only secured the first back-to-back nine-win seasons in school history, but also won the first-ever matchup between the two programs.
“We don’t have to keep reading about the past anymore,” Bielema said afterward. “You either read history or you write it. This group is writing history — and I don’t think they’re done.”
Olano accounted for all of Illinois’ points in the closing minutes, connecting on three field goals in the game. Quarterback Luke Altmyer finished with 196 passing yards and a touchdown, added a rushing score, and guided a decisive final drive that set up the game-winner. Defensively, Leon Lowery Jr. delivered one of the game’s turning points, recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown, while the Illini defense recorded four sacks overall.
Tennessee (8–5) closed the season on a sour note, dropping its second straight game and being held to a season-low 278 total yards of offense. The loss also denied the Volunteers a fourth consecutive nine-win season.
“Everybody’s disappointed, no doubt,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said. “But this has to fuel us through the offseason. We’ll learn from it, get stronger, and be ready to roll in ’26.”
Illinois’ win also helped the Big Ten remain undefeated this bowl season, improving the conference’s record to 6–0. Meanwhile, the Southeastern Conference fell to 2–5 with Tennessee’s loss.
The game featured multiple momentum swings. Tennessee erased two separate 10-point deficits and briefly took a 28–27 lead with 4:58 remaining when freshman Joakim Dodson returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown — the first kickoff return of his career.
Illinois never surrendered possession after that moment.
“Ending it that way was really special,” Altmyer said.
For Tennessee, DeSean Bishop rushed for 93 yards and two touchdowns, while Joey Aguilar added a rushing score. Still, the Volunteers struggled against an Illinois defense that smothered one of the nation’s most productive offenses. Tennessee entered the bowl ranked inside the top 10 nationally in yards per game and averaging 40.8 points, having topped 40 points seven times during the regular season. Illinois limited them well below those marks while posting 417 total yards of offense.
The Illini took control midway through the third quarter. After Joe Barna sacked Aguilar and forced a fumble, the ball bounced into the end zone, where Lowery fell on it for a touchdown, pushing Illinois ahead 17–7 with 11:48 left in the quarter. Altmyer later extended the lead to 24–14 with a 2-yard quarterback keeper late in the third.
Takeaways
Illinois played without its leading tackler and Big Ten sack leader, Gabe Jacas, who opted out to prepare for the NFL draft. Even so, the Illini defense — which entered the game ranked 56th nationally in scoring defense — turned in its strongest performance of the season.
Tennessee was shorthanded as well, missing three defensive starters. On offense, the Vols were without lineman Wendell Moe, who started 11 games but was sidelined on crutches, and wide receiver Chris Brazzell II, the SEC’s leading receiver, who opted out for the NFL draft. Aguilar also saw his streak of 36 consecutive Division I games with at least 200 passing yards come to an end.
What’s next
Illinois now faces key offseason questions, including replacing Altmyer and left tackle J.C. Davis, who is also headed to the NFL.
Tennessee, meanwhile, is expected to seek an experienced quarterback through the transfer portal. Aguilar is among the plaintiffs in a legal challenge alongside Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia aimed at preventing the NCAA from enforcing eligibility limits on former junior college players. The Vols also have young options in freshman George MacIntyre and early enrollee Faizon Brandon.
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