Tennessee football saw its season end Tuesday with a 30-28 loss to Illinois in the Music City Bowl following a walk-off field goal from the Fighting Illini.
A kickoff return for a touchdown from Joakim Dodson to take the lead with 5 minutes left wasn't enough for the Vols (8-5), who let Illinois (9-4) drive the length of the field and set up a 29-yard field goal to win.
"Throughout the course of the season, it's a series of plays that make a difference, and there's a few of them that will be burned in my brain for a long time," Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said. "I think the disappointment of tonight...it's got a chance to be the fuel that you use as motivation."
Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar snapped his run of throwing for 200 or more yards in every start in the loss, throwing for 121 yards and running for a touchdown. He turned the ball over once, fumbling and allowing an Illinois recovery in the end zone for a defensive touchdown.
Tennessee started the game with a fourth-down stop and a successful offensive drive, capped off by a rushing touchdown by Aguilar from seven yards out. The Vols then allowed Illinois to tie the score with a drive of its own.
Later in the half, Tennessee kicker Max Gilbert missed his only field goal of the game, a 39-yard attempt from the hash. The Fighting Illini took the lead with a field goal and went into halftime up three.
Illinois extended its advantage by stripping Aguilar of possession, falling on the ball in the end zone. The Vols regrouped and marched down the field with DeSean Bishop punching the ball in on fourth-and-goal.
The Fighting Illini fired back, re-establishing their 10-point advantage. Another Bishop touchdown brought the margin back, but an Illinois field goal brought Tennessee's deficit to six points. Dodson's 96-yard kickoff return gave the Vols their second lead of the evening.
After that return, Tennessee didn't touch the ball again. Illinois coach Bret Bielema executed his clock management well, taking off the entire remaining 4:58 and setting up David Olano for the game-winning kick.
When it came to high-leverage situations, Illinois was dominant. The Fighting Illini were consistently able to extend drives, and Tennessee's only turnover immediately resulted in a touchdown the other way.
"You look at a lot of these games that we've played," Bishop said, "we're really just a couple of plays away from being honestly undefeated."
The Vols found success on the ground through Bishop, who was the game's leading rusher with 93 yards and two touchdowns. Without usual star receiver Chris Brazzell, Mike Matthews led Tennessee in receiving yards with 43.
After a poor year by almost any standard, Tennessee has some reflection to do ahead of 2026. Jim Knowles will take over the defense, and either George Macintyre or a transfer portal addition will be Tennessee's new signal-caller.
With the transfer portal opening in three days, Heupel acknowledges the need for the talent level to increase but also recognizes the need for development of his young roster.
"There's a lot of really good young talent inside of that locker room," Heupel said. "We're one of, if not the youngest, team in our league. There's an influx of guys that we just signed that are highly talented."
The Vols have 249 days until they open the season against Furman at Neyland Stadium, and every day will be spent preparing for Heupel's sixth season in charge.
"This has got to be something that you take with you through the offseason and use this as motivation," Heupel said. "Give us a chance to get better and get stronger, and we'll be back ready to roll in 2026."