LIVE FEED: Breaking Down the Numbers Ahead of the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl
No. 16 South Carolina (9-3) and No. 20 Illinois (9-3) clash on New Year’s Eve in the highly anticipated Cheez-It Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. CST (ABC). Here’s everything you need to know before these two ranked teams battle for their 10th win of the season.
Key Stats and Storylines
Head-to-Head History
- First Meeting: South Carolina and Illinois have never faced each other before.
- SEC Struggles for Illinois: The Illini are winless (0-6) against SEC opponents, with their most recent loss coming against Mississippi State in the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl.
Players to Watch
- Nick Emmanwori (South Carolina): The Gamecocks’ cornerback has returned two interceptions for touchdowns this season, one of only five players nationally to achieve this feat in 2024.
- LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina): The SEC Freshman of the Year has amassed over 2,200 passing yards, 650 rushing yards, and boasts a 150+ passer efficiency rating, placing him among elite company with Alabama’s Jalen Milroe and Washington State’s John Mateer.
- Luke Altmyer (Illinois): The Illini quarterback has thrown for 2,543 yards, 21 touchdowns, and only five interceptions. Altmyer has also delivered three game-winning TD passes in crunch time this season.
Historical Bowl Context
- South Carolina: The Gamecocks are 10-15 in bowl games, with their last win coming in the 2021 Duke’s Mayo Bowl. They are riding a six-game winning streak, the longest active streak in the SEC.
- Illinois: The Illini haven’t won a bowl game since the 2011 Fight Hunger Bowl. They have a chance to match their school record of 10 wins for the first time since 2001.
Notable Performances This Season
- South Carolina Defense: DE Kyle Kennard recorded an impressive 11.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss en route to winning the Nagurski Award. Unfortunately, Kennard will miss the Citrus Bowl.
- Illinois Comebacks: The Illini have rallied to win four games this season, with Altmyer delivering clutch touchdowns in the final moments.
By the Numbers
- Big Ten vs. SEC in the Citrus Bowl: SEC teams have a 20-11 record against Big Ten opponents in this game.
- Turnovers: South Carolina’s defense has forced 27 fumbles, the most in the nation, recovering nine of them.
- Rushing Leaders: With Raheim Sanders opting out, South Carolina’s top rusher is Oscar Adaway (226 yards, 2 TDs). Illinois will lean on Adian Laughery and Josh McCray, who combined for over 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns.
- Leading Receivers: Illinois WR Zakhari Franklin (613 yards, 3 TDs) steps up in the absence of Pat Bryant, while South Carolina’s WR Joshua Simon leads with 450 yards and six touchdowns.
What’s at Stake?
Both teams aim to reach the coveted 10-win milestone, but the challenge looms large. Can South Carolina extend its winning streak to seven and finish strong? Or will Illinois break its bowl drought and rewrite history with a victory over an SEC powerhouse?
Stay tuned for live updates as the Gamecocks and Fighting Illini take the field!
