ORLANDO, Fla. — In an exciting matchup at the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, No. 21 Illinois triumphed over No. 14 South Carolina with a final score of 21-17. The turning point came midway through the fourth quarter when Josh McCray scored his second touchdown of the game with a 9-yard run, propelling the Illini to take the lead.
As the clock ticked down, Illinois’ defense proved critical in preserving their victory by halting South Carolina just shy of a touchdown at the 7-yard line with over three minutes to go. McCray not only showcased his scoring ability but also a remarkable 60-yard run on a crucial third-and-two from the 15-yard line, effectively running down the clock. This victory marked Illinois’ fifth 10-win season overall and their first since 2001.
“He never looks for outward excuses,” commented Illinois coach Bret Bielema regarding McCray’s performance. “He just works hard and does a lot of really good things to make these days happen.” McCray, who earned the MVP title for the game, finished with impressive stats, rushing for 114 yards on just 13 carries alongside his two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Luke Altmeyer contributed by passing for 174 yards, including one touchdown and one interception.
The game showcased a competitive spirit with the lead switching between both teams five times, demonstrating a back-and-forth struggle where neither team held a significant advantage. Illinois ultimately secured their lead with McCray’s touchdown that came with 7:29 remaining on the clock.
For South Carolina, quarterback LaNorris Sellers had a strong game, completing 24 of his 34 passes for 260 yards and throwing one touchdown pass to Joshua Simon in the third quarter. Unfortunately for the Gamecocks, they couldn’t capitalize during the critical moments, particularly in the fourth quarter when they failed to secure a crucial fourth down conversion.
“Obviously, we want to win,” Sellers reflected. “Some things didn’t go our way tonight. We have to get back to work and focus on next season.” Oscar Adaway III added a touchdown for South Carolina, rushing for 69 yards on 14 carries, scoring on a 36-yard run that briefly gave the Gamecocks the lead early in the fourth quarter.
There were moments of friction during the game as well. South Carolina’s coach Shane Beamer had to be restrained from approaching Illinois coach Bret Bielema after a dispute erupted over a signal during a third-quarter kickoff. This was prompted when Bielema signaled that he was unsatisfied with a previous call made regarding a kick return that ended in an unexpected play.
Beamer argued that he had acquired clearance from the officiating crew regarding the legality of the signal, while Bielema contended that the interpretation of that signal should serve the spirit of protecting players from injury.
South Carolina faced several missed opportunities, which ultimately hindered their chances of winning. Not only did they fall short in a critical fourth down situation late in the fourth, but they also had a failed attempt from the 11-yard line earlier in the game, combined with a missed field goal as the second quarter closed. Overall, the Gamecocks went just 2 for 4 in the red zone.
“The whole key to this game was finishing,” Beamer stated. “We didn’t finish.” Both teams aspired to mark a historic moment by achieving their respective 10th wins of the season, but Illinois’ experience with junior Altmeyer proved decisive. Looking ahead, both teams boast strong potential, especially with young talents like Sellers fueling optimism for the future.
Next season, South Carolina aims to capitalize on their momentum, coming off a six-game winning streak, with their 2025 opening game scheduled against Virginia Tech in Atlanta on August 31. Meanwhile, Illinois is set to carry forward their success, beginning their 2025 campaign against Western Illinois on August 30.
