Game Thread: Gamecocks vs. Illinois

[Caleb Alexander]

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We'll have plenty of post-game coverage on the front page. Happy New Year's Eve everyone!

 

[Caleb Alexander]

 

[Alan Cole]

Hello from Orlando. I can't speak for any of y'all, but I woke up feeling the Cheeziest, coach. South Carolina and Illinois out for early warm-ups. Nothing out of the ordinary yet. Was raining here when the teams arrived, but it's slowed up to a light drizzle with the sun peaking out right now. Also it's Florida, so I'm sure it'll change again every 10 minutes.

 

[Alan Cole]

Gamecocks in the storm trooper uniforms today. Illinois going with orange helmets, blue jerseys, orange pants.

 

[Alan Cole]

Looking at an actual kickoff time of about 3:04 according to the stadium clock.

 

[Alan Cole]

Everyone present and accounted for in warm-ups except Rocket, Kennard and Hunt, of course. Also a couple got married on the field pre-game, so there's that.

 

[Alan Cole]

Your captains today are LaNorris Sellers, Boogie Huntley, Vershon Lee and Debo Williams.

 

[Alan Cole]

Gamecocks win the toss and defer.

 

[Caleb Alexander]

In many ways this bowl game will be a look ahead to 2025, and the broadcast isn't shying away from it, with early talks about Sellers' 2025 Heisman campaign

 

[Caleb Alexander]

Gamecocks with a drop kick to start things off, and Illinois called for a hold on the return. They'll take over at their own 19

 

[Alan Cole]

Bryan Thomas Jr. gets the start at defensive end in the Kennard spot. He gets a 3rd down sack and the Gamecocks force a quick 3 and out.

 

[Alan Cole]

No penalty for kick catch interference, somehow, after McDowell gets clocked on a return. Gamecocks start at their own 43.

 

[Caleb Alexander]

Tough call there. It does appear on replay that the defender was blocked into McDowell

 

[Alan Cole]

Simon and Smith start at TE, Adaway at RB, Harbor and Campbell (!) the WRs. Gamecocks nearly move the sticks on a pass to Simon and a short run from Adaway. Third down and about half a yard coming up.

 

[Caleb Alexander]

We'll get our first look at Shula as the primary playcaller here in this 3rd down situation

 

[Alan Cole]

Adaway chugs forward and moves the chains.

 

[Alan Cole]

Simon makes a catch, fumbles, and it lands right in Adaway's arms. Better lucky than good, etc. etc.

 

[Alan Cole]

Gamecocks in the red zone after Sellers keeps for five on 3rd and 2.

 

[Caleb Alexander]

Run game firing on all cylinders without Rocket Sanders

 

[gamecocks247]

Illinois living up to their one of the worst runs D's in the nation. Cocks should feast all game.

 

[Caleb Alexander]

Jawarn Howell gets a look and finds space for 5 yards of his own

 

[Alan Cole]

Gamecocks get into the red zone, but the drive stalls out. Great coverage from the Illinois secondary on every drop back there on that series. Herrera hits a 29-yarder and South Carolina leads 3-0 with 7:24 left in the first quarter.

 

[Alan Cole]

Illinois living up to their one of the worst runs D's in the nation. Cocks should feast all game. (Thread reply)

Agreed. Think this could be a big day for Adaway. There's already some holes opening up.

 

[gamecocks247]

Need to make them stop the run before worrying about throwing the ball.

 

[GoCocksFight2021]

Not a good series in the red zone. Needed to run the ball.

 

[Alan Cole]

Nick Barrett is in the game for the first time in awhile. Staff was trying to preserve his redshirt all of November, but postseason games don't count against that, so he's good to go today. Interested to see how he looks.

 

[Caleb Alexander]

Illini take over on their own 25 after the touchback

 

[Alan Cole]

59-yard pass to Hank Beatty sets Illinois up at the 1. Just a bust over the middle.

 

[Alan Cole]

WOW. Debo Williams punches the ball out at the 1 yard line, Gamecocks recover in the end zone. Touchback. That's a hell of a play. And a lot of credit to Jalon Kilgore for the chase down tackle on the play before.

 

[Caleb Alexander]

Wow. South Carolina seemingly recovers a fumble in the end zone for a touchback. I'm sure they'll look it over again

 

[Caleb Alexander]

My initial look says it's a TD for Illinois, but may be hard to overturn

 

[gamecocks247]

probably a td. Hoping for a break from the stripes.

 

[Alan Cole]

Ball is sitting on the 20 right now during this TV timeout and South Carolina's offense is in the huddle, so if they're overturning it, nobody is communicating that to either team.

 

[Alan Cole]

Gamecocks take the field on offense. Alrighty.

 

[sclawman77]

Garbage interference call

 

[Caleb Alexander]

Surprising. Looked like the ball crossed the plane, but you'll take it.

 

[gamecocks247]

lol wow thaks refs!

 

[Alan Cole]

Sellers had Jared Brown open on a 3rd down crosser, but threw it behind him. Rare miss from Sellers there. Gamecocks go three and out off the turnover.

 

[gamecocks247]

Surprising. Looked like the ball crossed the plane, but you'll take it.

and looked like he was down before the fumble. Damn right we will take it!

 

[Alan Cole]

Good punt by Kroeger, a 55-yarder with just five on the return. Illinois will get its third possession going here after another television timeout. In the meantime, what's everyone's favorite flavor of Cheez-It?