NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Illinois kicker David Olano watched the football sail through the uprights Tuesday night at Nissan Stadium and raced back toward midfield with his hand raised.
The Illini sideline stormed the field to meet him.
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Olano’s 29-yard field goal as time expired lifted Illinois to a 30-28 victory over Tennessee in the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl.
The Illini entered the season with College Football Playoff hopes behind an experienced group of players that included quarterback Luke Altmyer, back for his third season. Those were dashed after losses to No. 1 Indiana, No. 2 Ohio State, Washington and Wisconsin.
Instead, they settled for program history in their second straight bowl win. For the first time, the Illini (9-4) won nine or more games in back-to-back seasons.
Olano’s field goal capped a wild final five minutes.
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Tennessee’s Joakim Dodson looked like he had fumbled a kickoff return late in the fourth quarter. But he scooped the ball back up and broke to the left side. Then he kept going.
Dodson returned the kick 94 yards for a touchdown and a 28-27 lead against Illinois.
But Illinois had 4:58 to respond.
On third-and-3 at the Vols’ 33-yard line, Altmyer completed a 2-yard pass to Hank Beatty that was so close to the line to gain it was reviewed, and the call on the field was upheld — just short. Illinois went for it on fourth-and-1, and Jordan Anderson gained 13 yards up the middle.
Illinois converted another third down late and then wound the clock down to set up Olano’s field goal. He had made a 28-yard field goal with 5:14 to play to give Illinois a 27-21 lead, but the Vols erased that on the next play with Dodson’s return.
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Altmyer, who said goodbye to fans by posting a social media highlight reel video two days before the game, completed 20 of 33 passes for 196 yards and a touchdown. He was named the MVP of the bowl.
Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar completed 14 of 18 passes for 121 yards.
Illinois was playing the game without all-Big Ten outside linebacker Gabe Jacas, who opted out as he prepares for the NFL draft, and safety Matthew Bailey, who had shoulder surgery.
The defense came through early, holding one of the nation’s most prolific offenses to seven first-half points. They then had one of their biggest plays early in the third quarter.
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Outside linebacker Joe Barna had a strip-sack of Aguilar, and outside linebacker Leon Lowery recovered the ball in the end zone for an Illinois touchdown and a 17-7 lead.
Tennessee responded quickly to its turnover with a nine-play, 75-yard drive, capped by DeSean Bishop’s 1-yard touchdown run on fourth down.
But Illinois put together its own touchdown drive, fueled by Altmyer’s legs. He had runs of 14 and 10 yards — taking down an official on the former — and then scored on a 2-yard touchdown push for a 24-14 Illinois lead.
Bishop’s 12-yard touchdown run then cut Illinois’ lead to 24-21.
Illinois went into halftime up 10-7.
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Aguilar scored on a 7-yard touchdown run with 6:16 left in the first quarter to give Tennessee a 7-0 lead. The Illini started the drive off well by sacking Aguilar for an 8-yard loss on the first play. But the Vols steadily marched 67 yards and had two third-down conversions to keep the drive alive.
Illinois responded on its next drive when Altmyer hit Justin Bowick with an 18-yard touchdown pass over the middle. The Illini offensive line had three false starts on the drive but Altmyer came up with three passes of 18 or more yards to overcome the setbacks.
The Illini twice went for it on fourth down in the first half while within what looked like field-goal range and failed to convert both times.
On fourth-and-7 at the 33-yard line on their first drive, Altmyer’s pass fell incomplete. On fourth-and-2 from the 29 on their third drive, Altmyer’s shovel pass bounced to the ground.
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But Tennessee had its own troubles, including kicker Max Gilbert missing a 39-yard field-goal attempt wide right late in the second quarter.
Olano made a 30-yard field goal with 21 seconds to play in the second quarter for a 10-7 lead. The Illini had first-and-10 from the 12-yard line, and Altmyer took three shots into the end zone. But Tennessee had the receivers well covered, including a second-down shot to Hank Beatty in which Vols defensive back Jalen McMurray broke up the pass.
