By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo: Greenville Online
On Tuesday night, No. 15 South Carolina Gamecocks falls to the No. 20 Illinois 21-17 in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers completed 24 of 34 passes for 260 yards and one touchdown.
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer completed 13 of 22 with one touchdown and interception. Running back Josh McCray rushed for two touchdowns with 114 yards on 13 carries.
South Carolina led 10-7 in the third quarter. Illinois took the lead 14-10 after a rushing touchdown with less than three minutes to go in the third quarter.
Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer became irate late in the third quarter and had to be restrained by coaches. Illinois Coach Bret Bielema seemed to taunt Beamer, which riled him up.
Sellers threw a touchdown to put the gamecocks on top 17-14 to start the fourth quarter. Illinois running back would give the team the lead again after a rushing touchdown 21-17.
The Gamecocks came so close to taking the lead again, but the receiver (No. 6) didn’t make the catch at the end zone. It was a fourth-and-4 play. The failed play resulted in a turnover on downs.
Plays later, McCray seals the deal for Illinois after a big run again and picks up the first down.
After the game, the two coaches shook hands without incident in the middle of the field. Both coaches deserve credit for being mature about the situation. Not everyone would’ve done the same, especially after a tough battle in competition.
That’s the excellence of sportsmanship, whether you win or lose, and shake hands without punches being thrown.
It’s not the ending the Gamecocks wanted. The team felt they should’ve been one of the 12 teams to make the playoffs. Gamecocks will be motivated to make a stronger push for next season.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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