NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer had an incredible night against the Tennessee Volunteers in a Music City Bowl win, but one play in the third quarter caught college football fans off guard.
The Fighting Illini were up by three points in the third quarter and had the ball on first down from the Volunteers’ 41-yard line. Altmyer took the snap and dropped back to pass. He made a pass to his right and picked up the ball in the middle of the pitch.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) runs the ball during the first half of the Music City Bowl NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Altmyer jumped away from Tennessee’s defenders and ran right into an official. The quarterback jumped the referee and got a first down before running off the field. It took a minute for the official to stand up again. He would score a touchdown later in the drive.
Tennessee had a poor comeback. DeSean Bishop scored a 12-yard rushing touchdown early in the frame, and the team took the lead on a Joakim Dodson 94-yard kick return touchdown.
Altmyer returned and mounted a 13-play, 65-yard drive to set up a David Olano go-ahead field goal for the 30-28 victory.
MINNESOTA WIDE RECEIVER MAKES INCREDIBLE DIVE TO WIN BOWL GAME
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) looks to throw a pass during the first half of the Music City Bowl NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Altmyer was 20-of-33 with 196 passing yards and a touchdown pass. He had 54 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown as well.
Illinois posted the first back-to-back nine-win seasons in program history.
“We don’t have to read about other years anymore,” head coach Bret Bielema said after the game. “I think people usually either read about history or write history, and this group is writing history, and I think we’ll continue to do that.”
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema yells at an official during the second half of the Music City Bowl NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
The team is now 2-1 in bowl games under Bielema.
