The Illini win an instant classic in Nashville.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — It all came down to one play. One kick. And when the Illini needed it most, they looked to their ace—All-Big Ten kicker, David Olano. With the mix of Tennessee Orange and Illinois Blue lining Nissan Stadium and the fans screaming as loud as they can, Olano drilled a 29-yard game winning field goal, cementing the Illini as Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl champions.
How else would the 2025 Illini football season end? It seemed almost too storybook. Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer had to lead a final game winning drive in his final game in an Illinois uniform, catupulting his already illustrious Illinois career into legendary status.
It was not easy, and not without a fair share of ‘Did that really happen?’ from Illini fans, in the 30-28 Illinois win.
After holding a lead for the most of the second half, the Volunteers (8-5, 4-4 SEC) special teams finally made an explosive play in the fourth quarter.
With backup kicker Lucas Osada taking over kickoff duties for Olano, the Volunteeers returner Joakim Dodson bobbled the kickoff, secured the ball, and raced 94 yards down the Tennesse sideline to give the Volunteers their first lead of the game since the first quarter.
Cue the closer music.
Altmyer came walking onto the field, gunslinger mentality intact, and did what he has done best: be clutch.
With the crowd erupting, and a controversial fourth and inches deep in Tennessee territory, Illinois fans held their breath. Without a conversion and only one timeout remaining this was essentially the game. With Altmyer under center, the Illini QB handed the ball to runningback turned tight end Jordan Anderson for a gain of 13 yards, setting up Illinois in prime territory for Olano.
Tack on a few extra power runs, and Illinois was able to run down the clock, and win nine games in consectuive seasons for the first time in program history.
In Altmyer’s final game in the Orange and Blue, he finished with 196 passing yards and a passing touchdown. He also tacked on 54 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
The Illinois defense, led by defensive coordinator Aaron Henry, who many argue was coaching for his job this postseason, showed up. Against a high powered Volunteer offense, the Illini defense held Tennessee’s quarterback Joey Aguilar in check.
Agulair and the Volunteers averaged 40.8 points per game in 2025, and Henry’s crew held them to just 21 points, excluding the kickoff return. Aguilar also threw for 287 yards per game in the regular season, but the Illini only allowed 121, his fewest of the year.
The defense’s success was led by a strong showing from the defensive line, despite missing All-Big Ten linebacker Gabe Jacas, getting to Aguilar four times. The highlight coming in the third quarter, where Joe Barna clobbered Aguilar, forcing a fumble into the endzone. Leon Lowry Jr. was the first on the ball in the dog pile that resulted in the Illini defensive touchdown.
You Gotta See This
Joe Barna was a force to be reckoned with today, forcing the fumble as Leon Lowry Jr. picks up his first touchdown of his collegiate career in his final game.
For the first time in the Bielema era, the Illini dawned blue helmets, and boy did they look sweet. You wonder if these could become mainstays in future Illinois uniforms.
Stat Stuffers
23: The amount of wins Luke Altmyer has in an Illinois uniform. He ties Jack Trudeau for 2nd most in program history.
Tennesse’s offense averaged 40.8 points per game. They finished with 21 offensive points today.
12 different Illini caught or carried the ball in the win today.
2: The amount of game winning field goals David Olano hit in 2025.
Up next …
And with that the Illini’s 2025 season comes to an end. As Altmyer and several other key players have played their final down in an Illini uniform, Illinois will look different in 2026. The Champaign Room will have all your transfer portal and draft news for the upcoming offseason.
Category: General Sports
