Hysteria rains down as recruits, fans, & coaches celebrate Illinois win vs Tennessee
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The Illinois football team just knocked off the Tennessee Volunteers in the Music City Bowl, and it wasn't just fans who were taking notice.
The class of 2026 is a strong one for the Illini. We have a group of recruits coming in that ranks No. 23 in the country.
Illinois' top offensive line signee, Micah Smith, took notice of the big victory. The four-star is all about the #FamILLy.
ILL #FamILLYhttps://t.co/mYyqLDH6s2
– Micah Champion Smith (@ChampSmith55) December 31, 2025
Smith's running mate in the future, wide receiver Kenyon Alston, was also hyped for the win.
Back to Back
I-L-L pic.twitter.com/dfM97oYg1r– Kenyon Alston (@KenyonAlston) December 31, 2025
Former players were all over the Illini victory. There hasn't been a ton of winning in the past, so having these former players get glory for being a part of the program feels good.
Fred Wakefield was a great player for the Illini and someone who played in the NFL. He is always keeping an eye on the Orange and Blue.
@IlliniFootball that was fun. Thank you!
– Fred Wakefield (@fwakefield1) December 31, 2025
Illinois coaches were also taking notice. No, the football coaches weren't tweeting during the game, but it was the Illinois basketball coaches who wanted to congratulate the football program.
FAMILLY!!!!
– Orlando Antigua (@CoachOantigua) December 31, 2025
@BretBielemahttps://t.co/CUob4J3dKe
– Brad Underwood (@CoachUnderwood) December 31, 2025
And then there were the fans. The Illinois fanbase was always great, but with the winning on the field, this group of fans has really blossomed into a massive crowd.
Illinois wins back to back bowl games against the SEC.
It just means more…#Illini
– Writing Illini (@WritingIlliniFS) December 31, 2025
Are you sure you want to go back to Illinois instead of playing for a "real team like Tennessee "? –@lukealtmyer9 probably #ILL#NFL#B1Gpic.twitter.com/8Mj6JCj1OJ
– SCC (@SCCentral21) December 31, 2025
– C (@CaileyCail) December 31, 2025
– Kyle Tausk (@ktausk13) December 31, 2025
What a way to end this campaign.
The Illini are Music City Bowl champions. pic.twitter.com/WBCFruTaIF
– Courtney Layne Brewer (@courtneylaynebr) December 31, 2025
THE ILLINI WIN THE MUSIC CITY BOWL 30-28
WHAT A GAME. pic.twitter.com/LjG2DmRfVY
– Barstool Illini (@BarstoolILL) December 31, 2025
FLIP THOSE CAPES ONE LAST TIME!! Illini WIN!! pic.twitter.com/4dDUxSEojL
– Marching Illini (@MarchingIllini) December 31, 2025
This closes the chapter on the Illinois football 2025 campaign. It was a run that was filled with hope, with the ultimate ending being a bowl game and going out on top. Let's get set for 2026 and all of the fun the transfer portal will hold in the coming weeks.
- 5 massive observations from the Illinois football win over Tennessee
- 5 encouraging observations from the Illinois basketball win over Southern
- Illinois football coach receives a rocking gift at Music City Bowl presser
- Illinois QB Luke Altmyer shares tear-jerking video ahead of game with Tennessee
This article was originally published on www.writingillini.com as Hysteria rains down as recruits, fans, & coaches celebrate Illinois win vs Tennessee.
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