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,

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

At a watch party at Joes on Weed Street fans popped champagne Tuesday as they watched the Fighting Illini clinch their first bowl victory since 2011 over the South Carolina Gamecocks. For some it was a pregame warmup before the clock strikes midnight.

Josh McCray of the Illinois Fighting Illini ran for 114 yards and 2 TDs and was named Most Valuable Player of the Citrus Bowl on Tuesday in Orlando, Florida.

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