By IlliniGuys Staff

December 30, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - David Olano kicked a 29-yard field goal on the game's final play as Illinois upset Tennessee 30-28 to punctuate their first-ever appearance in the Music City Bowl and cap off the most successful period in program history.

The victory was Illinois' 9th of the year, marking the first time that the Illini have posted back-to-back 9-win seasons. Bret Bielema becomes the first head coach to win bowl games in consecutive seasons, guiding his team to 19 victories over the past two years, another program first after beating South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl to end the 2024 campaign.

"We be two and they be oh!", Bielema joked with the Illini radio team afterwards when asked about beating teams from the much-hyped Southeastern Conference the past two years.

Luke Altmyer, who was named the game's most valuable player, boasted to the stadium crowd later "I'm so proud to play in the best conference in the nation these past three years". Altmyer, who began his career at Ole Miss before transferring before the 2023 season, completed 20-of-33 passes for 196 yards with no interceptions. He passes Jason Verduzco for fifth place on the all-time Illinois passing yards list with 7,607.

Tennessee (8-5) scored first on a Joey Aguilar touchdown run, but Illinois answered on its next series when Luke Altmyer hit Justin Bowick on an 18-yard scoring strike.

The game remained tied 7-7 until Olano drilled a 30-yard field goal just before halftime.

Illinois took control in the third quarter when Joe Barna sacked and stripped Aguilar and James Thompson Jr. pounced on the fumble in the end zone for the Illini defense's first touchdown of the season and a 17-7 lead.

But the Volunteers battled back. After a 28-yard field goal from Olano to give Illinois a 27-21 lead, Joakim Dodson returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards to give the SEC representatives their first lead of the second half at 28-27.

Altmyer and the Illini never wavered. Starting at their own 25-yard line with 4:58 on the clock, Illinois marched down the field in a 13-play, 64-yard drive to keep the Tennessee offense off the field and set up Olano's game-winner.

The Illinois defense - much-maligned after blowout losses at Washington and at Wisconsin in the back half of the season - turned in its best effort of the season. Tennessee managed just 28 points and 278 yards, far below their respective season averages of 40.1 points and 482 yards. The Illini also sacked Aguilar four times; he was sacked just 17 times in 12 games this season.

Stay with IlliniGuys.com for complete postgame coverage from Nashville.