Illinois isn’t any stranger to late heroics.
The Illini entered Tuesday’s Cheez-It Citrus Bowl main the nation with 4 fourth-quarter comebacks.
As soon as once more, issues would come right down to the ultimate quarter-hour as working again Josh McCray had two touchdowns, together with the winner, as No. 20 Illinois outlasted No. 15 South Carolina, 21-17.
Illinois (10-3, 6-3 Massive Ten) has received 10 video games for the primary time for the reason that 2001 season. It’s the fifth time the Illini have completed with 10 wins in a season (1902, ‘83, ‘89 and 2001).
The win snaps a three-game dropping streak in bowl video games, giving the Illini their first postseason win since defeating UCLA 20-14 within the Combat Starvation Bowl in 2011.
South Carolina (9-4, 5-3 SEC) opened the scoring when quarterback LaNorris Sanders led the Gamecocks to Illinois’ 11-yard line. Unable to transform on a third-and-7, kicker Alex Herrera kicked a 29-yard discipline objective for a 3-0 lead.
On Illinois’ subsequent possession, quarterback Luke Altmyer related with receiver Hank Beatty, who made a 59-yard catch that introduced the ball to the USC’s 1.’McCray, nevertheless, fumbled on the objective line, and South Carolina defensive finish Dylan Stewart recovered the ball for a touchback.
The Gamecocks couldn’t capitalize and needed to punt on their subsequent drive.
Altmyer obtained Illinois on the scoreboard with a 15-yard landing go to Zakhari Franklin, who simply made it into the top zone, placing the Illini forward 7-3 on the finish of the primary quarter.
South Carolina made one other drive into the purple zone throughout its subsequent possession however stalled at Illinois’ 13. Relatively than making an attempt a 30-yard discipline objective, the Gamecocks faked a discipline objective, with punter Kai Kroeger making an attempt a go that fell incomplete in the long run zone.
USC’s particular groups struggles continued as Herrera’s 41-yard discipline objective try with 3 seconds left within the half hit the best upright and was no good.
South Carolina continued to roll the cube within the second half because the Gamecocks transformed fourth-and-1 at Illinois’ 36 as working again Oscar Adaway III busted by way of the road of scrimmage and ran uncontested for a landing and a 10-7 benefit.
The Illini turned it over on their subsequent possession as South Carolina security Jalon Kilgore intercepted Altmyer’s go to Beatty. However the Gamecocks couldn’t convert as working again Jawarn Howell fumbled away the ball.
Illinois took benefit of the turnover and drove 63 yards, highlighted by a 27-yard catch by receiver Collin Dixon that arrange a 3-yard landing run by McCray, who put the Illini again forward, 14-10.
Throughout an damage timeout, South Carolina coach Shane Beamer needed to be held again by employees members and officers after it appeared Illinois coach Bret Bielema mentioned one thing in his course.
The Gamecocks appeared fired up by the fireworks and Sellers discovered tight finish Joshua Simon in the long run zone for a 6-yard rating and a 17-14 lead.
Illinois put collectively a 12-play drive that took up near seven minutes earlier than McCray discovered the top zone once more – this time on a 9-yard run.
South Carolina had yet one more likelihood as Vendor drove the Gamecocks inside Illinois’ 10, however his go to Simon on a fourth-and-4 went incomplete.
McCray completed with a season-high 114 yards on 13 carries.
Electronic mail Matt Murschel at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com.
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