The Illinois Fighting Illini nearly coughed up a 10-point lead against the Tennessee Volunteers in Tuesday’s Music City Bowl before a costly mistake by the Volunteers ended up being the deciding factor of the contest.
After a kick return TD gave Tennessee a 28-27 lead, the Illini drove into field-goal range. Illinois was faced with a 3rd-and-6 from the Tennessee 13-yard-line.
That was when Tennessee DL Dominic Bailey jumped offside, turning a 3rd-and-medium into a 3rd-and-short that Illinois easily converted.
All the Illini had to do from there on out was run down the clock and watch David Olano drill a 29-yard game-winning field goal.
