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.

No. 15 South Carolina faces No. 20 Illinois in the Citrus Bowl in the first all-time meeting between the programs. Illinois is looking for its first bowl win since the 2011 season, while South Carolina seeks its second bowl game win in four seasons under coach Shane Beamer.

The Illini rallied three times before overcoming the Gamecocks in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl thanks to two touchdowns by Josh McCray.

It will be easy to forget the final score of Tuesday’s Cheez-It Citrus Bowl — 21-17 Illinois over South Carolina. Yes, No. 20 Illinois (10-3) beat No. 15 USC (9-4), keeping the Gamecocks from winning 10 games for only the fifth time in school history.

There was plenty of drama during the Illinois Fighting Illini's 21-17 victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks at the Citrus Bowl, but there were also some fireworks pregame in the form of … a wedding on the field. Yes, that's right, a couple got married at the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.

It’s gameday in the Sunshine State, and there’s a lot on the line for the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. South Carolina (9-3) is trying to win its 10th football game in a season for the fifth time ever.

The two teams are searching for their 10th wins of the season, something they haven’t achieved in more than a decade.

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

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