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South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer, second from left, argues with officials during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game against Illinois, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer, second from left, argues with officials during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game against Illinois, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer, center, is held back by staff after running onto the field during the second half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game against Illinois, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer, center, is held back by staff after running onto the field during the second half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game against Illinois, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Illinois defensive back Miles Scott (10) breaks up a pass intended for South Carolina tight end Joshua Simon (6) during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Illinois defensive back Miles Scott (10) breaks up a pass intended for South Carolina tight end Joshua Simon (6) during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

South Carolina tight end Joshua Simon (6) fumbles while being tackled by Illinois defensive backs Miles Scott (10) and Kaleb Patterson (22) as Illinois linebacker James Kreutz (41) goes for the ball during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

South Carolina tight end Joshua Simon (6) fumbles while being tackled by Illinois defensive backs Miles Scott (10) and Kaleb Patterson (22) as Illinois linebacker James Kreutz (41) goes for the ball during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Illinois running back Josh McCray (6) rushes for a touchdown during the second half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game against South Carolina, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Illinois running back Josh McCray (6) rushes for a touchdown during the second half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game against South Carolina, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

South Carolina tight end Michael Smith (20) cannot make the catch on a pass in the end zone as Illinois defensive back Xavier Scott (14) looks on during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

South Carolina tight end Michael Smith (20) cannot make the catch on a pass in the end zone as Illinois defensive back Xavier Scott (14) looks on during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Illinois defensive back Torrie Cox Jr. (5) knocks down a pass intended for South Carolina tight end Joshua Simon (6) in the end zone during the second half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Illinois defensive back Torrie Cox Jr. (5) knocks down a pass intended for South Carolina tight end Joshua Simon (6) in the end zone during the second half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Illinois linebacker Ryan Meed (34) breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for South Carolina's Alex Huntley (95) during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Illinois linebacker Ryan Meed (34) breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for South Carolina's Alex Huntley (95) during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) throws a pass during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game against South Carolina, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) throws a pass during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game against South Carolina, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers looks to throw a pass during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game against Illinois, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers looks to throw a pass during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game against Illinois, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Illinois running back Josh McCray, center, raises the championship trophy after his team's win over South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game as head coach Bret Bielema, right, looks on, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Illinois running back Josh McCray, center, raises the championship trophy after his team's win over South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game as head coach Bret Bielema, right, looks on, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Illinois wide receiver Zakhari Franklin (4) scores a touchdown pass play in front of South Carolina defensive backs Judge Collier (20) and Jalon Kilgore (24) during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Illinois wide receiver Zakhari Franklin (4) scores a touchdown pass play in front of South Carolina defensive backs Judge Collier (20) and Jalon Kilgore (24) during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)