South Carolina vs Illinois Full Game Replay 31 Dec 2024 Citrus Bowl
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#15 South Carolina vs #20 Illinois Full Game Replay
2024 NCAA College Football - Citrus Bowl
Camping World Stadium
3:00 PM, December 31, 2024
Coverage: ABC
Orlando, FL
Attendance: 47 129
#15 South Carolina Gamecocks vs #20 Illinois Fighting Illini What to Watch:
The 2024 Citrus Bowl will take place on Tuesday, December 31 between the No. 15 South Carolina Gamecocks and the No. 20 Illinois Fighting Illini. With a 9-3 record going into the game, South Carolina most recently defeated No. 12 Clemson 17–14 on November 30 to win six straight games. Illinois is now 9-3 after winning its third consecutive game on Nov. 30 against Northwestern, 38-28. Illinois, under by head coach Bret Bielema, is making its second bowl appearance in four years, while the Gamecocks, led by Shane Beamer, are making their third in four years.
Tuesday's kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET in Orlando, Florida's Camping World Stadium. The most recent Illinois vs. South Carolina odds see the Gamecocks as the 9-point favorite.
The vast majority of South Carolina's players on both sides of the ball will participate in the 2024 Citrus Bowl, despite the fact that the Gamecocks will be missing star edge rusher Kyle Kennard and starting running back Raheim Sanders as they get ready for the NFL Draft. LaNorris Sellers, a redshirt freshman, had a great finish to his first season playing meaningful snaps at quarterback. He scored 16 touchdowns (12 passing) and three interceptions during his final five games, and he threw for over 300 yards in two of his final three games.
Despite having a difficult SEC schedule, South Carolina possessed a top-notch defense this season. The Gamecocks give up the ninth-fewest yards per play (4.9) and rank eleventh in scoring defense (18.4 ppg). In terms of yards allowed (319.3 per game), South Carolina is ranked 15th. In three of their last four games, the Gamecocks have held their opponents to 14 points or less, most recently defeating a Clemson squad that averages 33.5 points per game this season 17–14. That could result in another outstanding defensive performance on Tuesday as most of their defensive stars will be playing.
The Fighting Illini just finished their greatest season since their Rose Bowl appearance in 2007. Illinois, which had nine consecutive losing seasons before head coach Bret Bielema took over, is currently playing in its second bowl in his four years in charge. During his last tenure as head coach, Bielema led Arkansas to a 2-1 bowl record.
The great majority of Illinois' squad is also playing, but Pat Bryant, their star wide receiver, will not be there because he is getting ready for the NFL Draft. With wins over three ranked teams at the time (No. 19 Kansas, No. 22 Nebraska, and No. 24 Michigan), Illinois began the season 6-1.
The Fighting Illini have covered the spread in three consecutive games and finished 5-2 ATS as an underdog this season. In three games in a row, Illinois has scored 38 points. With Aidan Laughery rushing for 172 yards and three touchdowns on 14.3 yards per carry against Northwestern, junior quarterback Luke Altmyer didn't need to throw much after throwing for over 225 yards in three consecutive weeks. The battle-tested Fighting Illini can score in a number of ways to stay ahead of South Carolina.