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.

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.

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.

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,

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

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.

South Carolina will be donning some special threads while it goes for a double-digit win season on New Year's Eve against Illinois.

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