Three Gamecock questions ahead of South Carolina vs. Illinois in the Citrus Bowl

South Carolina and Illinois will meet for the first time ever on Tuesday. The Citrus Bowl matchup between the Gamecocks and Illini also will include an ironic mutual pursuit of history as both programs vie for their fifth 10-win season.

USC enters the game around a 10-point favorite, and many are predicting a Carolina victory. However, with three days left before the bowl, there are three questions the Gamecocks must answer well to see that projection become reality.

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Can South Carolina run the football?

One very important question surrounding Shane Beamer’s team this week focuses on the team’s run game. There are a few reasons why.

First, starting running back Rocket Sanders will not play against Illinois as he preps for the NFL Draft. Second, offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains is now the head coach at Appalachian State, and Mike Shula is in charge of playcalling moving forward. Third, Carolina’s run game this year was somewhat inconsistent and very reliant on quarterback LaNorris Sellers as the compliment to Sanders.

With Sanders out, the Gamecocks will need his understudies to step up in the Citrus Bowl. Oscar Adaway served as the team’s backup for most of the season. Rising redshirt sophomore Jawarn Howell and rising redshirt freshman Matthew Fuller flashed in limited action this fall. And then there’s scatback Juju McDowell, a wildcard who will be playing in his final game in garnet and black. Will the Gamecocks go with a by-committee approach in this one, or will one back emerge? For Adaway, Howell, and Fuller, the bowl could be an audition for the starting gig in 2025, too.

As South Carolina transitions from Loggains to Shula, there shouldn’t be a dramatic scheme shift. Shula worked closely with Sellers this year and has shown similar offensive philosophies to Loggains during his other coaching stops. However, Tuesday will mark his first solo experience calling plays for the Gamecocks.

South Carolina’s rushing success fluctuated in 2024, and 77.9% of the team’s yards on the ground came from Sanders (who isn’t playing) or the quarterback position. Finding consistency will be key. It seems obvious that Sellers will be a major factor in the game plan on the ground. However, every offense would prefer its star quarterback to avoid taking hits if possible. How might that affect things against Illinois? Only time will tell.

Bowl games can be somewhat unpredictable, but finding success running the football is a good way to control the game. If Coach Shula and company can figure out how to do that without their top back, South Carolina has to feel good about its chances of victory.

What might the Gamecocks do on special teams?

South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer loves special teams. Anyone familiar with him or his father Frank Beamer knows this to be so. That’s why special teams could be a major factor in the Citrus Bowl.

Under Beamer, South Carolina has been one of the most fake-happy teams in college football. The Gamecocks haven’t been afraid to go for a 2-point conversion with their kicking personnel or to try their hand at a fake punt or field goal. Former high school quarterback Kai Kroeger has been a weapon throwing the ball.

During his career, Kroeger has thrown to receivers, tight ends, quarterbacks, defensive linemen, and even long snapper Hunter Rogers. Carolina also has run other fakes with varying levels of success.

So, what might Beamer and special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis come up with this time? Gamecock Nation will be on the edge of their collective seats to find out.

Who steps up for USC?

Historically, South Carolina often gets surprise strong performances in their bowl wins. Ryan Brewer’s best game with the program came in the Outback Bowl. Dylan Thompson threw two touchdowns off the bench (one was the game-winner) in the Outback Bowl against Michigan. DK Joyner and Jaheim Bell dominated North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl for their best statistical showings.

So, who emerges against Illinois?

For starters, the Gamecocks will need production at running back and defensive end in light of opt-outs from Rocket Sanders and Kyle Kennard.

We already addressed the running game earlier in this article. Oscar Adaway, Juju McDowell, Jawarn Howell, and Matthew Fuller could all get chances.

At defensive end, Dylan Stewart will start at one spot, while several players will battle for the other job. The bowl game depth chart lists “Bryan Thomas, Jr. OR Gilber Edmond OR Desmond Umeozulu” as a potential starter. JT Geer also is on the depth chart behind Stewart. All of those players other than Edmond have eligibility remaining following the bowl, too. A good showing against Illinois could be a springboard to a big role next fall. Because he has played his best football down the stretch of the 2024 season, Thomas could be the man to watch.

In the days leading up to the game, Coach Beamer and his staff have hinted that some younger players could see action in the Citrus Bowl. Perhaps one of them could play a key role against Illinois.

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South Carolina and Illinois will kick off the Citrus Bowl at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31st. The New Year’s Eve bowl will air on ABC and stream on ESPN+.

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