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Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmire had an incredible night in the Music City Bowl win against the Tennessee Volunteers, but one play in the third quarter caught the attention of college football fans.
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. Altmaier took the snap and dropped back to throw a pass. He faked a pass from his right side and took the ball to the middle of the field.
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Illinois quarterback Luke Altmire (9) runs the ball during the first half of the Music City Bowl NCAA college football game against Tennessee on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Altmire ran away from Tennessee’s defenders and collided directly with an officer. The quarterback jumped the official and gained a first down before running out of bounds. It took a minute for the officer to get back up. He would score a touchdown later in the drive.
Tennessee made an average comeback. DeSean Bishop scored a 12-yard rushing touchdown early in the frame and the team took the lead on Joakim Dodson’s 94-yard kick return touchdown.
Altmire came back and mounted a 13-play, 65-yard drive that led to a David Olano field goal for the 30–28 win.
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Illinois quarterback Luke Altmire (9) looks to throw a pass during the first half of the Music City Bowl NCAA college football game against Tennessee on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Altmire was 20 of 33 with 196 passing yards and one touchdown pass. He also had 54 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.
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 generally 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 on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
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The team is now 2-1 in bowl games under Bielema.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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