UT Loses To Illinois In Music City Bowl

The Tennessee Vols traveled to Nashville on Tuesday for their appearance in the Music City Bowl. The Vols evidently left their offense backl in Knoxville. Tennessee was held to a season-low 278 yards of total offense in their contest against Illinois.

Tennessee running back DeSean Bishop rushed for 94 yards, but Joey Aguilar passed for just 121 yards. Tennessee’s big outburst happened late in the game when Joakim Dodson returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown and the Vols took a 28-27 lead with just under 5 minutes to play. Illinois would get the ensuing kickoff, and they would not let the Vols see the ball again. Illinois drove down the field and they kicked a 29 yard field goal as time expired to send the Vols into their off-season with a 30-28 loss.

The Vols were without several important peices on the defense and several have declared for the NFL Draft. Joey Aguilar, who snapped a streak of 36 straight Division I games throwing for at least 200 yards, was missing one of his favorite targets as Chris Brazzell bowed out of the bowl game because of heading to the draft.

Tennessee finishes the season at 8-5. Tennessee is now 1-3 in their appearances in the Music City Bowl.