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.

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

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,

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.

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.

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.

Follow along all afternoon as the Illini face off against South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., with a 10th win on the line.

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