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Previewing Illinois' offense versus Tennessee in Music City Bowl
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- Previewing Illinois' offense versus Tennessee in Music City Bowl
The Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl will be contested Dec. 30 between No. 23 Tennessee (8-4, 4-4 SEC) and Illinois (8-4, 5-4 Big Ten). Rankings reflect the US LBM Coaches Poll .
Kickoff between the Vols and Fighting Illini is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. EST at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst) and Cole Cubelic (sideline) will be on the call .
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Tennessee is playing for its fourth consecutive nine-win season for the first time since doing so in five straight campaigns from 1995-99.
Ahead of the Music City Bowl, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel discussed playing Illinois.
"Illinois, physical football team that doesn't beat themselves," Heupel said. "Has a quarterback that has played at a really high level for a long time, and their ability to run the football offensively."
Luke Altmyer completed 226-of-332 passing attempts for 2,811 yards, 21 touchdowns and five interceptions during the regular season for Illinois. He also totaled 188 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 90 attempts.
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Ca'Lil Valentine led the Fighting Illini in rushing with 549 yards, while scoring four touchdowns on 123 attempts.
Kaden Feagin was Illinois' leader in rushing touchdowns (seven) and Collin Dixon recorded a team-high five receiving touchdowns. Feagin also totaled 499 rushing yards on 119 attempts.
Hank Beatty (826), Dixon (538), Hudson Clement (406), Justin Bowick (234), Cole Rusk (217) and Feagin (188) recorded 100-plus receiving yards during regular-season play.
David Olano converted 17-of-20 field goal attempts and 41-of-41 extra point attempts for the Fighting Illini. His longest field goal was 47 yards (7-of-8 40-49 yards).
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Illinois' offense is averaging 370 yards per game (131 rushing, 239 passing). The Fighting Illini have scored in 43-of-51 red zone attempts (12 field goals, 16 passing touchdowns, 15 rushing touchdowns). Illinois also converted 58-of-138 third down attempts and 12-of-20 fourth down attempts in the regular season.
Luke Altmyer
More: George MacIntyre's growth detailed during freshman year at Tennessee
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This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Illinois offensive preview ahead of playing Tennessee football
