South-Carolina
How to Watch: Illinois Football vs. South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl
No. 20 Illinois (9-3, 6-3 Big Ten) vs. No. 15 South Carolina (9-3, 5-3 SEC)
Day and time: Tuesday (Dec. 31) at 2 p.m. CT
Venue: Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida
TV: ABC
Stream: None
Listen: WDWS-AM 1400 (Champaign)
WLS-AM 890 (Chicago)
Illini Sports Network affiliates (other local markets)
Fighting Illini Mobile App
SiriusXM 82
SXM App
Favorite: South Carolina (-10.5 points)*
Over/under: 49.5 points*
Illinois vs. South Carolina all time: 0-0
Streak: None
Last meeting: None
More from Illinois on SI
(*Figures as of Monday morning)
Key stat: 59.5
South Carolina will be without the services of running back Raheim Sanders (NFL Draft opt-out) for the Citrus Bowl, but he may not even be the Gamecocks’ most dangerous running threat. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers (6-foot-3, 242 pounds) has averaged 59.5 rushing yards per game in his SEC Freshman of the Year campaign, and if that doesn’t sound like much, consider that he has gained a total of 875 yards (don’t forget: sacks are included in net rushing yards in college) and scared the bejesus out of opposing defenses anytime he broke loose from the pocket.
Whatever plan Illinois and defensive coordinator Aaron Henry have in place for the Gamecocks, it had better have some galazy-brain-level wrinkles to contain Sellers. The Illini D has struggled to pin down mobile passers this season, so linebacker Gabe Jacas, defensive lineman TeRah Edwards and crew will need to strike a healthy balance between creating upfield pressure and securing containment.
Quick tips:
• With Illinois receiver Pat Bryant having opted out of the Citrus Bowl in anticipation of the NFL Draft, one of the biggest questions that must be answered by the Illini offense is, who replaces him in the starting lineup? Malik Elzy, Alexander Capka-Jones and Collin Dixon have all given Illinois reps behind (or with) Bryant and fellow starter Zakhari Franklin this season, but if coach Bret Bielema is looking for the player most likely to replicate Bryant’s size, hands, playmaking ability and blocking in the lineup, the nod probably goes to Elzy.
• South Carolina has given up the fourth-fewest rushing yards in the SEC (106.3 per game), which is a bit like saying a particular Italian joint makes some of the best pizza in Chicago: You know it’s good. Indeed, the Gamecocks rank No. 14 in the country in run defense, so the Illini are going to have to get creative, using misdirection, screens and short slants to set up the run with the pass – or simply replace it altogether.
• The Citrus Bowl trip to Orlando has been a homecoming of sorts for 17 Illinois players who are Florida natives – the most of any Big Ten program.
South Carolina is not only playing its best football but also may have been underrated by the CFP committee, besides. There will be no room for error for Illinois, but lucky for the Illini, that’s kind of their thing: they are 7-0 when they commit no more than one turnover in a game. If you go by the rationale that the opt-outs of Bryant and Gamecocks defensive end Kyle Kennard (11.5 sacks) cancel each other out, Illinois is still up against it.
An Illini win will require quarterback Luke Altmyer to be on point, an A-game from the O-line, defensive containment of Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers and, most likely, a fair amount of luck. That’s a lot that has to happen, and it could be argued that Illinois used up more than its share of magic dust in earlier matchups this season.
South Carolina 27, Illinois 24
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Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 14, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from May 14 drawing
Midday: 6-6-6, FB: 3
Evening: 4-8-2, FB: 6
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from May 14 drawing
Midday: 6-9-9-3, FB: 3
Evening: 4-2-8-2, FB: 6
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 14 drawing
Midday: 14
Evening: 09
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from May 14 drawing
03-06-13-35-38
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:
For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.
Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.
SC Education Lottery
P.O. Box 11039
Columbia, SC 29211-1039
For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.
Columbia Claims Center
1303 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.
For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.
When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.
A primer on absentee and early voting as we await clarity on the Palmetto State’s suddenly shifting congressional districts…
by MARK POWELL
***
We’re hearing a lot these days about South Carolina’s partisan primary elections – and with good reason. In addition to the ongoing drama tied to the proposed redrawing of the Palmetto State’s congressional districts, elections for the two most influential statewide offices – governor and attorney general – are also on tap.
For the first time since 2010, neither of those races features an incumbent seeking reelection. Status quo incumbent governor Henry McMaster is term-limited and cannot run again, while attorney general Alan Wilson is stepping down as the state’s top prosecutor to campaign for governor.
Not surprisingly, both races are extremely competitive – with multiple candidates having potential paths to victory.
Although partisan primary elections won’t be held until June 9, 2026, votes are already being cast via absentee ballot. According to the S.C. Election Commission (SCVotes), at last count 9,267 absentee ballots have already been sent for the June 9 primary – with thousands more expected to be mailed out in the coming two weeks.
Of those, 549 ballots have already been completed and returned.
***
For those wanting to vote absentee, the clock is ticking. State law says absentee ballots must be returned eleven (11) days before Election Day… which is May 29, 2026. In requesting, completing and returning absentee ballots this year, voters would be wise to consider the congressional district in which they reside – and know it could change in the coming days.
Under pressure from U.S. president Donald Trump, lawmakers are poised to draw new congressional maps within the next week – meaning votes cast based on the current boundaries may not count. That’s one of many logistical (and potentially legal) headaches confronting lawmakers keen on doing Trump’s bidding.
Next up? Early voting…
Starting on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, and running through Friday, June 5, 2026, early voting centers will be open in all forty-six (46) counties in South Carolina. Ballots can be cast Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT. Remember to bring a valid photo identification with you, because when voting in person you will be asked to show one of the following…
- SC Driver’s License
- Includes standard license and REAL ID
- SC Department of Motor Vehicles ID Card
- Includes standard ID card and REAL ID
- Includes SC Concealed Weapons Permit
- SC Voter Registration Card with Photo
- Federal Military ID
- Includes all Department of Defense Photo IDs and Veterans Affairs Benefits Card
- US Passport
- Includes US Passport ID Card
For a sample ballot, click here. For information on where to vote in your county, click here.
***
RELATED | HENRY McMASTER CALLING SPECIAL SESSION
***
In some areas, curbside voting will also be available during the early voting window. Voters aged 65 and older or those with physical disabilities are eligible to cast their ballots from the convenience of their cars. Again, check with your local voting office about availability in your area.
Those concerned about lengthy waits and long, wrap-around-the-building lines may not have reason to fret – at least if recent history is any guide. While those horrifically long and agonizing queues are common in presidential primaries and general elections, Palmetto State citizens have had a more relaxed view of fulfilling their civic duty in recent years when it comes to primary elections.
In the last statewide primary in 2022, only 17.05% of registered voters cast their ballots. In 2018, it was 20.43%. Those were those landslides compared to 2014’s primary, when an anemic 15.97% participated.
The high-water mark for primary participation was 2010, when controversy swirling around Nikki Haley’s candidacy drove turnout to a whopping 24.11% – proving yet again that scandal always sells.
But I’ll leave any further discussion of that race (and that scandal) to our founding editor…
***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
J. Mark Powell is an award-winning former TV journalist, government communications veteran, and a political consultant. He is also an author and an avid Civil War enthusiast. Got a tip or a story idea for Mark? Email him at mark@fitsnews.com.
***
SOUND OFF…
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