ORLANDO, Fla. (WAND) - The Illinois football team tied the program record for single-season wins on New Years Eve, taking down South Carolina 21-17 in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
The team finish the season with a 10-3 record, tying the 2001 team led by Ron Turner that went to the Sugar Bowl.
Running Back Josh McCray took care of the ground game, rushing for 114 yards and two touchdowns.
After surrendering a field goal in the opening quarter, quarterback Luke Altmyer connected with Rochester native Hank Beatty for a 59-yard pass, where he was taken down at the one-yard line. Illinois was stifled on their attempt to score, however, when the Gamecocks knocked the ball free and recovered the fumble.
Illinois bounced back their next possession. Wide receiver Zakhari Franklin caught a pass from Altmyer near the sideline and stretched out the ball to break the plane to put the Illini ahead 7-3. The score would hold firm into the half after South Carolina missed a field goal attempt as the clock hit zero.
The Gamecocks answered with a 36-yard touchdown run from Oscar Adaway III, shooting USC out front.
After trading turnovers, McCray punched in his first score of the game from the three yard line just before the start of the final quarter.
He'd respond to another South Carolina score to make it 21-17 with less than eight minutes remaining in the game.
The Illini defense would make a stand through the remaining minutes, claiming its first bowl win since the 2011 Fight Hunger Bowl.
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