Chambana Sun

The Illinois football team has arrived in Orlando, Florida, to prepare for the upcoming Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. The Fighting Illini, ranked 20th, will face off against the 15th-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks. Both teams hold a record of 9-3 and are set to compete on December 31 at Camping World Stadium.

Illinois ended its regular season with three consecutive wins, marking their eighth instance of securing nine victories in a season. They aim to achieve a tenth win for only the fifth time in program history. Their winning streak began with a victory over Michigan State and continued with triumphs against Rutgers and Northwestern.

South Carolina arrives at the bowl game on a six-game winning streak, including victories over several ranked opponents such as Texas A&M and Clemson. This matchup will be the first meeting between Illinois and South Carolina.

Illinois' participation in this year's Citrus Bowl marks their second appearance since they last played in the event following the 1989 season. Head coach Bret Bielema leads Illinois into his second bowl game within his first four seasons.

"Illinois qualified for the 21st bowl game in program history," states an official note from the team. The Illini are also looking to secure their first bowl win since December 31, 2011.

Bret Bielema's tenure has seen him achieve significant milestones, including becoming "the first Illini head coach since John Mackovic (1988-91)" to win at least eight games in two of his first four seasons.

The Citrus Bowl provides an opportunity for Illinois players who hail from Florida to play close to home. Seventeen members of the team come from Florida, making it a notable presence among Big Ten programs.

For further details on Illinois' preparations for the Citrus Bowl, information is available on FightingIllini.com/CitrusBowl.