South Carolina, Illinois to Square Off in Cheez-It Citrus Bowl Dec. 31 at Camping World Stadium
By Space Coast Daily // December 8, 2024
Kickoff set for 3 p.m. on ABC
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The South Carolina Gamecocks and Illinois Fighting Illini will square off in this season’s Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, Florida Citrus Sports announced Sunday.
The game will kick off at 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at Camping World Stadium and will air live on ABC.
No. 15 South Carolina (9-3, 5-3 SEC) will be making its fourth all-time appearance in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, and its first since a 34-24 win over Wisconsin to close the 2013-14 season. The Gamecocks also appeared in the Jan. 2, 2012 Citrus Bowl, a 30-13 win over Nebraska, and the 1975 game, a 20-7 defeat to Miami (Ohio).
No. 20 Illinois (9-3, 6-3 Big Ten) will be appearing in the game for the second time and first since quarterback and game MVP Jeff George led the team to a 31-21 win over Virginia on New Year’s Day 1990.
The Gamecocks and Illini have never met on the gridiron.
This season’s Cheez-It Citrus Bowl will be the 79th edition of the game, an annual matchup of top SEC and Big Ten teams since 1993. Last season, Tennessee defeated Iowa 35-0 in the second edition of the Citrus Bowl to feature Cheez-It as a title sponsor.
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl tickets are available now. Click here or visit CheezItCitrusBowl.com to buy or to learn more about group, premium, Family Fun Play and other ticket offers.
