After the game, Emmanwori said he chose to sit out the second half but noted that he told his “coach.” What seemed clear was if he did tell a coach, that guy wasn’t South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer — who looked to be seething when asked after the game why Emmanwori didn’t play the second half.
South Carolina Republicans slammed the Biden administration's border policies after an alleged bomb hoax by an illegal immigrant from Jordan shut a highway down for hours.
Illinois will have to prove the doubters wrong again next season after coach Bret Bielema improved his previous year's win total by five games this season, resulting in a bowl victory.
Despite winning its first bowl game in over a decade, the first time under soon-to-be fifth-year coach Bret Bielema, CBS Sports analyst Josh Pate failed to include Illinois in his "unofficial" final poll to put a bow on the 2024-25 college football season.
South Carolina football loses a top-100 recruit in the 2026 class, forcing HC Shane Beamer to explore other options
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer celebrates during the Illini’s 21-17 win against South Carolina in  the Citrus Bowl. College Football Reporter/Columnist Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer celebrates during the Illini’s 21-17 win against South Carolina in  the Citrus Bowl.
South Carolina coach Shane Beamer is getting a $1.5 million raise after the Gamecocks won their final six regular-season games.
In the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl between South Carolina and Illinois, Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer felt pretty good about where his team sat at halftime. The game was well under control at the time, and though there had been some iffy red-zone work, there was nothing to suggest panic was in order.
The South Carolina wide receiver rose to national prominence last year, in large part because of what he did off the football field. While running track for USC, Harbor was sensational — a 6-foot-5, 235-pounder who ran the 100m in just over 10 seconds and was so dominant in the 200m that he qualified for the Olympic Trials.
The Gamecocks also had some impressive wins over No. 10 Texas A&M, No. 23 Missouri and No. 21 Clemson, but ended the season on a sour note, losing to the Illinois Fighting Illini 21-17 in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
In a matchup of two top-five teams, Dawn Staley and South Carolina suffocated LSU in front of a raucous home crowd.
Illinois won 10 games in 2024 including the Citrus Bowl. Here is how the Illini and coach Bret Bielema ranked in the final coaches and AP polls.