Illinois secured a narrow 30-28 victory over Tennessee in the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl on Tuesday, as quarterback Luke Altmeyer played a pivotal role by accounting for two touchdowns. The decisive moment came when kicker David Olano drilled a 29-yard field goal as time expired, capping a 69-yard drive that included a notable 28-yard run by Aiden Laughery.
Altmeyer completed 20 of 33 passes for 196 yards, throwing an 18-yard touchdown pass at the end of the first quarter and rushing for a 2-yard score in the third. The Fighting Illini demonstrated a strong ground game, amassing 221 rushing yards, led by Laughery”s 77 yards.
In a key defensive play, Joe Barna”s strip-sack of Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar at the Volunteers” 11-yard line set up a fumble recovery and touchdown by Leon Lowery Jr., extending Illinois” lead to 10 points early in the third quarter.
The Volunteers responded with resilience, executing a nine-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a fourth-and-1 touchdown run from DeSean Bishop. Bishop, who finished with 93 rushing yards, scored again on a subsequent drive with a 12-yard carry. In a dramatic turn, Joakim Dodson returned a muffed kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown, giving Tennessee its first lead since the first quarter.
This thrilling contest featured intense back-and-forth action, with both teams showcasing their offensive and defensive skills. The Fighting Illini concluded their season with a commendable 9-4 record, while Tennessee ended at 8-5.
In other bowl action, TCU triumphed over Southern California 30-27 in overtime, thanks to a game-winning touchdown pass from Ken Seals. Meanwhile, Louisiana Tech rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat Coastal Carolina 23-14 in the Independence Bowl, highlighting a day full of competitive college football.
