Football
December 29, 2025
Preview
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Illinois football is ready for its 13th opportunity of the season, facing off against the Tennessee Volunteers for the first time in program history at the 2025 Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl.
The game will kick off on December 30 at 4:30 p.m. CT inside Nissan Stadium. Here are a few storylines to watch ahead of Tuesday evening’s faceoff between Illinois (8-4, 5-4 Big Ten) and Tennessee (8-4, 4-4 SEC).
Bowl Lights are Bright in Music City
The Illini are attending the Music City Bowl for the first time in program history, while 2025 represents the Volunteers’ fourth time attending the bowl.
A win would give Illinois its most victories in two seasons in program history (19) and 9+ wins in back-to-back seasons, also for the first time in program history.
Head coach Bret Bielema has set a high standard for the Illini, tallying the most wins in his first five seasons of any Illinois head coach (36), and leading the squad to bowl eligibility three times in four years, which last occurred in 1991-94. Bielema is looking to become the first head coach in Illinois history to lead the team to bowl wins in back-to-back seasons.
Pregame Press Conference
Altmyer Looks to Finish Illinois Career Strong
Senior Luke Altmyer will lead the Fighting Illini into battle one last time, after a storied career in Champaign. Altmyer finished the 2025 regular season ranked among the top quarterbacks in the nation in nearly every statistical category; including completion percentage (18th, .681), passing efficiency (20th, 157.06), touchdown passes (29th, 21), and passing yards (33rd, 2811).
With a triumph, Altmyer would join Nathan Scheelhaase as just the second Illini quarterback to earn multiple bowl wins and enter into a tie with Jack Trudeau (23) for the second-most victories by a starting quarterback in Illinois history, behind only Kurt Kittner (24).
Opponent Scout: Tennessee Offense
The Volunteers own the 7th-best scoring offense in the nation (40.8 points / game), led by quarterback Joey Aguilar, who averaged 287 passing yards per game, ranking sixth in the country, and totaled 3,444 yards in the air, good for 7th in the nation. 2025 SEC Freshman of the Year Braylon Staley was one of Aguilar’s top targets, earning 806 yards on 64 receptions, including 6 touchdowns.
Running back DeSean Bishop has also fueled the Volunteers offensively, one of just 29 players in the country to score 14 or more total touchdowns this season. Bishop is just 17 yards shy of 1,000 for the season.
Tennessee has been aggressive on third and fourth down, with a .510 third down conversion percentage, and an even higher .733 conversion percentage on fourth down, the seventh-highest in the country.
Opponent Scout: Tennessee Defense
Tennessee ranks second in the country with six defensive touchdowns, the program’s most since 1996, and is tied for sixth in the nation with ten fumble recoveries. Seven Volunteers have recorded multiple sacks, led by sixth-year pass rusher Dominic Bailey, who tallied 5.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss.
How to Follow
Illinois and Tennessee will square off on Dec. 30 at 4:30 p.m. CT on ESPN. Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), and Cole Cubelic (reporter) will have the call on ESPN.
The Busey Bank Illini Sports Network has the radio call with Brian Barnhart (play-by-play), Carey Davis (analyst), and Michael Martin (sideline).
Follow updates from the Illini on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Facebook.
For more information about Illinois’ trip to the 2025 Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl, visit FightingIllini.com/2025MusicCityBowl.
