Illinois Triumphs Over Tennessee, 30-28, in 2025 Music City Bowl Victory

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The 2025 Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl witnessed a thrilling finish as Illinois triumphed over #23 Tennessee, maintaining a narrow edge of 30-28. The decisive moment came when David Olano kicked a field goal as time expired, cementing Illinois’s back-to-back bowl victories.

Historic Victory for Illinois

This victory marked a significant achievement for the Illini, as they recorded nine wins in consecutive seasons for the first time in the program’s history. With a season record of 9-4, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema made history by becoming the first coach to lead the team to bowl victories in two consecutive years.

Game Highlights

• Final Score: Illinois 30, Tennessee 28
• Quarter Breakdown:
• 1st Quarter: Tennessee 7, Illinois 7
• 2nd Quarter: Tennessee 7, Illinois 10
• 3rd Quarter: Tennessee 14, Illinois 24
• 4th Quarter: Tennessee 28, Illinois 30

Key Performances

Quarterback Luke Altmyer shone brightly, orchestrating the game-winning drive during the last minutes of the fourth quarter. He ended the game with:

• 196 passing yards
• One passing touchdown
• 54 rushing yards
• One rushing touchdown

His performance earned him the title of Music City Bowl MVP. Altmyer’s victory drive covered 64 yards over 13 plays, eating up 4:58 of the clock.

Defensive Standouts

Illinois also excelled on defense, registering four sacks throughout the game, the second-highest in any bowl game for the team. Joe Barna’s forced fumble, recovered by Leon Lowery Jr., became a pivotal moment, contributing to a crucial touchdown that expanded Illinois’s lead.

Breaking Bonds with Past Records

With this victory, Illinois achieved a remarkable:

• 19-7 record over the last two seasons
• 15 wins against Power-4 teams
• First-time wins over SEC teams in bowl games, with Tennessee being the latest

This success followed back-to-back 9-win seasons, a milestone not previously accomplished by the program.

Additional Notes

• Illinois held Tennessee to just 278 total yards, a season-low for the Volunteers.
• Altmyer concluded his career with several program records, including:
• Best passer rating in history (144.31)
• Most completions (64.36%) for minimum attempts
• 57 touchdown passes, ranking second all-time
• 7,607 passing yards, placing fifth in Illinois history

David Olano’s performance was notable, as he successfully completed all three field goals, including the victorious kick.

Conclusion

The victory at the 2025 Music City Bowl highlights not just a significant win for Illinois but also a new era of success for the program under Coach Bret Bielema. As they look ahead, the Illini aim to build on this successful momentum.