Tennessee Volunteers 28–30 Illinois Fighting Illini: Final Score & Recap | Week 1, 2025

Quick answer

Illinois Fighting Illini defeated Tennessee Volunteers 30–28 in Week 1, 2025. Final score: Tennessee Volunteers 28, Illinois Fighting Illini 30.

Game summary

Illinois Fighting Illini edged Tennessee Volunteers 30–28 in Week 1 of the 2025 season.

Scoring: 7 touchdowns, 3 field goals across 10 plays.
Passing leader: Shotgun #80 H.Beatty (Illinois) — 0.0 pass yds, -0.64 EPA/play.
Rushing leader: Joey Aguilar — 7.0 yds, 1 TD.
Receiving leader: #13 H.Clement caught at Vols45 — 2 rec, 37.0 yds.
EPA edge: Tennessee (+0.116/play) vs Illinois (+0.089/play).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Tennessee Volunteers	6	0	12	12	28
Illinois Fighting Illini	6	3	6	6	30

Scoring Map

Each pin marks a score on the field — TDs in the end zone, field goals near the kick line.

TENNTennessee Volunteers

OPP EZ

ILLIllinois Fighting Illini

FantasyHQ CFB Analytics

Scoring timeline

10 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

Tennessee
Q1TD
JAJoey Aguilar
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
6-0
Joey Aguilar rushes 7 yards for a touchdown
Illinois
Q1TD
#J#0 J.Bowick caught at Vols00
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
6-6
#0 J.Bowick caught at Vols00 catch for a touchdown (18 yards)
Illinois
Q2FG
Points+3
Yard line
OPP 13
Score
6-9
Field goal good from 30 yards
Tennessee
Q3TD
NHNo Huddle-Shotgun #6 J.Aguilar
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
12-9
Fumble returned for a touchdown
Tennessee
Q3TD
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
18-9
Rushing touchdown
Illinois
Q3TD
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
18-15
Rushing touchdown
Tennessee
Q4TD
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
24-15
Rushing touchdown
Illinois
Q4FG
Points+3
Yard line
OPP 11
Score
24-18
Field goal good from 28 yards
Tennessee
Q4TD
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
30-18
Kickoff
Illinois
Q4FG
Points+3
Yard line
OPP 12
Score
30-21
Field goal good from 29 yards

Stars of the game

Top passers, rushers, and receivers from cfbfastR play-by-play.

Passing

Shotgun #80 H.Beatty (Illinois) — 0.0 yds · -0.64 EPA/play -0.64 EPA
#9 L.Altmyer (Illinois) — 18.0 yds · -0.22 EPA/play -0.66 EPA
Shotgun #6 J.Aguilar (Tennessee) — -4.0 yds · -0.91 EPA/play -0.91 EPA

Rushing

Joey Aguilar (Tennessee) — 7.0 yds · 1 TD +2.17 EPA

Receiving

#13 H.Clement caught at Vols45 (Illinois) — 2 rec · 37.0 yds +1.67 EPA
#2 A.Hollins caught at Vols29 (Illinois) — 1 rec · 18.0 yds +1.29 EPA
#0 J.Bowick caught at Vols00 (Illinois) — 1 rec · 18.0 yds +3.14 EPA

Quarterback report card

Attempts, efficiency, and EPA.

Player	Team	Att	Cmp%	Yds	TD	EPA/play	Total EPA
Shotgun #80 H.Beatty	Illinois	1	0.0%	0	0	-0.64	-0.64
#9 L.Altmyer	Illinois	3	33.3%	18	0	-0.22	-0.66
Shotgun #6 J.Aguilar	Tennessee	1	0.0%	-4	0	-0.91	-0.91
Shotgun #9 L.Altmyer	Illinois	12	66.7%	67	0	-0.20	-2.46
No Huddle-Shotgun #9 L.Altmyer	Illinois	18	55.6%	91	0	-0.19	-3.47
No Huddle-Shotgun #6 J.Aguilar	Tennessee	21	66.7%	111	1	-0.33	-7.02

Team EPA comparison

Stat	Tennessee	Illinois
Plays	55	73
EPA / play	+0.116	+0.089
Total EPA	+6.37	+6.48
Success rate	47.3%	52.1%
Pass EPA / play	-0.360	-0.117
Rush EPA / play	+0.433	+0.278
Yards	302	419

Drive chart

Key possessions and results.

Qtr	Offense	Plays	Yards	EPA	Result
Q1	Illinois	8	32	-2.52	Ended
Q1	Tennessee	11	71	+6.71	Rush TD
Q1	Illinois	9	90	+8.09	Pass TD
Q1	Tennessee	3	6	-2.36	Punt
Q2	Illinois	9	44	-2.81	Ended
Q2	Tennessee	11	50	-0.31	Missed FG
Q2	Illinois	11	40	-1.36	Field goal
Q2	Tennessee	2	4	-0.70	Ended
Q3	Tennessee	4	17	-2.17	Punt
Q3	Illinois	5	20	-1.32	Punt
Q3	Tennessee	1	0	-7.27	Touchdown
Q3	Tennessee	9	75	+6.73	Rush TD
Q3	Illinois	8	68	+5.12	Rush TD
Q3	Tennessee	14	79	+5.73	Rush TD
Q4	Illinois	11	65	+0.38	Field goal
Q4	Tennessee	0	0	—	Touchdown

Biggest EPA swings

Q3 · Tennessee Volunteers · Fumble returned for a touchdown (-7.26 EPA)
Q4 · Tennessee Volunteers · Kickoff (+6.26 EPA)
Q1 · Illinois Fighting Illini · #0 J.Bowick caught at Vols00 catch for a touchdown (18 yards) (+3.14 EPA)
Q1 · Tennessee Volunteers · No Huddle-Shotgun #6 J.Aguilar pass to #14 B.Staley caught at Vols47 for 14 yards (3rd & 10) (+3.13 EPA)
Q2 · Illinois Fighting Illini · Shotgun #9 L.Altmyer to #3 A.Bryant thrown to Vols31 broken up by #20 B.Eason — Pass Incompletion (no gain) (-3.11 EPA)
Q4 · Tennessee Volunteers · No Huddle-Shotgun #6 J.Aguilar pass to #4 M.Matthews caught at Illini26 for 17 yards (3rd & 15) (+3.05 EPA)
Q3 · Tennessee Volunteers · Rushing touchdown (+3.01 EPA)
Q1 · Illinois Fighting Illini · No Huddle-Shotgun #9 L.Altmyer pass to #13 H.Clement caught at Vols45 for 24 yards (2nd & 9) (+2.62 EPA)

Key takeaways

Illinois Fighting Illini controlled the final (30–28) in Week 1.
Passing edge: Shotgun #80 H.Beatty (Illinois) — yds.
EPA edge: Tennessee at 0.116 EPA/play.
Full EPA, scoring map, and play-by-play live in CFB Analytics Box & Scores.

Frequently asked questions

What was the final score of Tennessee Volunteers vs Illinois Fighting Illini?

Tennessee Volunteers 28, Illinois Fighting Illini 30 in Week 1 of the 2025 college football season.

Who won Tennessee Volunteers vs Illinois Fighting Illini?

Illinois Fighting Illini won with a final score of 28–30.

Where can I find the Tennessee Volunteers vs Illinois Fighting Illini box score?

See EPA, scoring timeline, and full play-by-play on FantasyHQ CFB Analytics: /cfb-analytics?game=401778326.

Who led Tennessee Volunteers vs Illinois Fighting Illini in passing?

Shotgun #80 H.Beatty (Illinois) led passers with 0.0 yards.

Full analytics box score

Explore every snap, drive chart, and the interactive scoring map for Tennessee Volunteers at Illinois Fighting Illini in FantasyHQ CFB Analytics Box & Scores.