Clutch Kicks, Gritty Defense, and a Storybook Ending: Illinois Wins 2025 Music City Bowl
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - It ended the only way it could have for this Illinois team - with everything on the line and the game resting on the foot of David Olano.
The All-Big Ten kicker stepped into the spotlight with 29 yards between him and a championship. And with the crowd at Nissan Stadium split in a sea of Tennessee orange and Illinois blue, Olano delivered - drilling the game-winner and sealing a 30-28 victory for the Illini in the 2025 Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl.
It was a fitting finale to a season - and an era - that’s been anything but ordinary.
Altmyer’s Last Stand
For quarterback Luke Altmyer, this wasn’t just another game. It was his final appearance in orange and blue, and he made sure it counted. With Illinois trailing late after a wild special teams swing, Altmyer orchestrated a game-winning drive that will be remembered for years in Champaign.
Altmyer finished with 196 yards through the air and a touchdown, adding another 54 yards and a score on the ground. But the numbers only tell part of the story. When Illinois needed poise, leadership, and just enough magic, Altmyer delivered - again.
The defining moment came on a fourth-and-inches deep in Tennessee territory. With the season hanging in the balance and just one timeout remaining, Illinois turned to Jordan Anderson - a running back turned tight end - who powered ahead for 13 yards and a crucial first down. That play set the stage for Olano’s heroics and capped a drive that drained the clock and the Volunteers’ hopes.
Vols Strike Late, But Illini Answer
Tennessee didn’t go quietly. After trailing most of the second half, the Volunteers flipped the script with a jolt of special teams electricity. Joakim Dodson mishandled a kickoff, recovered it, and took off - 94 yards down the sideline for a touchdown that gave Tennessee its first lead since the opening quarter.
But the Illini didn’t blink. They responded with a methodical, physical drive that showcased the same grit that’s defined their season. And when the dust settled, they walked away with their ninth win - marking the first time in program history they’ve posted back-to-back nine-win seasons.
Defense Answers the Call
While the offense closed the show, the Illinois defense set the tone - and kept one of the SEC’s most explosive units in check. Tennessee came into the game averaging over 40 points per contest, but defensive coordinator Aaron Henry’s group held them to just 21 offensive points. That’s no small feat against a quarterback like Joey Aguilar, who had been torching defenses all year.
Aguilar, who averaged 287 passing yards per game during the regular season, was limited to just 121 - his lowest output of the year. The Illini defensive line, even without All-Big Ten linebacker Gabe Jacas, brought the heat.
They sacked Aguilar four times, with the biggest moment coming in the third quarter when Joe Barna crashed in for a strip-sack. The ball tumbled into the end zone, and Leon Lowry Jr. - in his final collegiate game - pounced on it for a defensive touchdown.
It was the first score of his college career, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Helmet Switch, Historic Finish
In a subtle but symbolic twist, Illinois debuted blue helmets for the first time under head coach Bret Bielema. And while uniforms don’t win games, the fresh look seemed to match the energy of a team rewriting its own history.
Altmyer’s 23rd win in an Illinois uniform ties him for second-most in program history, equaling the mark set by Jack Trudeau. And Olano’s game-winner? That was his second of the season - both coming in high-pressure moments that define championship DNA.
Twelve different Illini players either caught a pass or carried the ball, a testament to the team’s depth and balance - and to the coaching staff’s trust in spreading the load.
Looking Ahead
With Altmyer and several other key contributors moving on, Illinois will look different in 2026. But the foundation has been laid. Back-to-back nine-win seasons, a bowl victory over an SEC opponent, and a defense that showed up when it mattered most - this is a program trending in the right direction.
For now, though, the Illini can enjoy the moment. A walk-off win, a quarterback’s final stand, and a kicker’s calm under pressure - it all came together in Nashville.
And it ended, as it should have, with one perfect kick.