The Illini save their best for last in a 21-17 win over the favored Gamecocks to secure their first 10-win season since 2001

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.

That was it — Illinois had a 10-win football team for the first time since 2001, a bowl win for the first time since 2011 and arguably its biggest win in any game since the 2007 upset at No. 1 Ohio State.

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.

South Carolina ends 2024 with a loss to Illinois in the Citrus Bowl, snapping a seven game winning streak and falling short of win No. 10.

Illinois' defense helped seal the win by stopping South Carolina with a little more than three minutes remaining.

Both No. 14 South Carolina and No. 21 Illinois are on the verge of rare feats for their program as they prepare to meet at the Citrus Bowl to cap their season.

SportsLine's model revealed its college football picks for Illinois Fighting Illini vs. South Carolina Gamecocks in the Citrus Bowl 2024 on Tuesday

Illinois Fighting Illini vs. South Carolina Gamecocks football live updates, video highlights and score in the 2024 Citrus Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 31.

During the 2024 college football regular season, ESPN’s FPI analytics were quite accurate in predicting the outcome of Illinois’ games. In fact, ESPN's metrics

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