No. 20 Illinois defeated No. 15 South Carolina 21-17 in a surprise Citrus Bowl victory, ending their season with a program-defining 10-3 record.
In a surprising outcome, No. 20 Illinois defeated No. 15 South Carolina 21-17 in the Citrus Bowl on New Year's Eve. This victory marked the conclusion of Illinois' most successful season in decades. Led by running back Josh McCray's remarkable performance of 114 yards and two touchdowns on just 13 carries (earning him Citrus Bowl MVP honors), the Illini dominated the ground game. Quarterback Luke Altmyer contributed 174 passing yards and a touchdown, keeping the South Carolina defense engaged.
Meanwhile, Illinois' defense effectively neutralized South Carolina's rushing attack, holding them to 3.9 yards per carry and limiting quarterback LaNorris Sellers' running to just 19 yards on 11 attempts. Entering the game as underdogs, Illinois (which opened at +10.5) secured an impressive upset victory, solidifying their status in what could be a program-defining season. Social media erupted with reactions from fans and media personalities across the country, praising the Illini's achievement
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