Game-ending field goal boosts Illinois over Tennessee in Music City Bowl 30-28

David Olano kicked a 29-yard field goal as time expired, and Illinois beat Tennessee 30-28 Tuesday night to finish 9-4. The Fighting Illini also posted the first back-to-back nine-win seasons in program history along with winning the first game between these programs.

Luke Altmyer threw for 196 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score. Leon Lowery Jr. recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown, and Illinois had four sacks.

Tennessee (8-5) finishes the season having lost two straight held to a season-low 278 yards total offense. The Vols also missed out on a fourth straight season with at least nine wins.

The Fighting Illini helped the Big Ten stay undefeated this bowl season, improving to 6-0. The Southeastern Conference dropped to 2-5 with this loss.

Tennessee trailed by as many as 10 points twice and took a 28-27 lead when Joakim Dodson returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown with 4:58 left. It was the freshman’s first kickoff return of his career.

Illinois smothered a Tennessee offense that ranked inside the top 10 nationally for yards per game, averaging 40.8 points. The Vols had scored at least 40 in seven games during the regular season. Illinois finished with 417 yards total offense.



(AP Photo George Walker IV)