Considering the Big Ten finish expected of Illinois in the preseason (No. 14 out of 18 teams), a 10-win season culminating in a Citrus Bowl win would seem to make a final-game report card sort of superfluous.

Josh McCray scored his second touchdown of the game on a 9-yard run midway through the fourth quarter to give No. 21 Illinois the lead, and the Illini held on to beat No. 14 South Carolina 21-17 in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.

Dec. 31 – South Carolina vs Illinois, Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida., 3 p.m.

No. 20 Illinois (10-3) took down a heavily favored South Carolina (9-4) squad in a 21-17 battle to secure the program’s second Citrus Bowl victory in as many tries. Behind arguably its best rushing performance of the season and a git-'er-done day from quarterback Luke Altmyer,

Illinois' defense helped seal the win by stopping South Carolina with a little more than three minutes remaining.

South Carolina football wanted to send its seniors off with historic win No. 10 but instead, the Gamecocks fell to Illinois 21-17 in the Citrus Bowl.

Illinois Fighting Illini vs. South Carolina Gamecocks football live updates, video highlights and score in the 2024 Citrus Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 31.

During the 2024 college football regular season, ESPN’s FPI analytics were quite accurate in predicting the outcome of Illinois’ games. In fact, ESPN's metrics

Illinois had a historic 2024 college football season, winning 10 games including the Citrus Bowl. Every story about coach Bret Bielema and the Illini.

Citrus Bowl came complete with a dramatic finish, sideline scuffles and even an altercation between the two head coaches.

Illinois had only won 10 football games in four seasons ever, prior to the Illini’s New Year’s Eve victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks. Sporting new script “Illinois” helmets, the Illini were the more physical,