South-Carolina
Illinois 21-17 South Carolina (Dec 31, 2024) Game Recap – ESPN
ORLANDO, Fla. — — Josh McCray scored his second touchdown of the game on a 9-yard run midway through the fourth quarter to give No. 21 Illinois the lead and the Illini held on to beat No. 14 South Carolina 21-17 in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Tuesday.
Illinois’ defense sealed the win by stopping South Carolina (9-4) at the 7-yard line with a little more than three minutes remaining. McCray sealed the victory and helped the Illini run out the clock with a 60-yard run on a third-and-two play from the 15-yard line as Illinois (10-3) closed out the fifth 10-win season in program history and its first since 2001.
“He never looks for outward excuses,” Illinois coach Bret Bielema said of McCray. “He just works hard and does a lot of really good things to make these days happen.”
McCray, named the game’s MVP, rushed for 114 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns. Luke Altmeyer threw for 174 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
The teams exchanged the lead five times, and neither led by more than one score. Illinois took its final lead on McCray’s touchdown run with 7:29 remaining.
South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers completed 24 of 34 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown for the Gamecocks, who fell short of the fifth 10-win season in program history. He threw a 6-yard TD pass to Joshua Simon in the third quarter for his only score. They could not connect again in the fourth quarter, leading to the critical turnover on downs.
“Obviously, we want to win,” Sellers said. “Some things didn’t go our way tonight. We have to get back to work and focus on next season.”
Oscar Adaway III rushed for 69 yards on 14 carries, including a 36-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter that gave South Carolina a shortlived lead.
South Carolina coach Shane Beamer needed to be restrained from pursuing Illinois coach Bret Bielema during a stoppage in the third quarter after Bielema came toward South Carolina’s sideline with his arms extended, a signal to them that he was not happy with a signal given earlier in the game.
Beamer and Beielema confirmed the dispute was over a signal South Carolina’s kick returners gave on a third-quarter kickoff when a player gave the typical signal they would let the ball go over their head and not return the ball. But the Gamecocks not only fielded the kick, but tried a lateral play that ended with a tackle at the 25.
Beamer said he cleared the use of that signal with the Big 12 officiating crew before the game and that it was legal, as long as the returners did not wave their arms like a fair catch. Bielema agreed that returning the kick was not against the rules, but went against the spirit of using that signal to limit injuries on kickoff returns.
South Carolina had several missed chances that cost the team opportunities to take the lead.
In addition to the failed fourth down conversion late in the fourth quarter, the Gamecocks did not convert on a fourth down play from the 11 yard line in the second quarter when holder Kai Kroeger’s pass to Alex Huntley in the endzone fell incomplete. Kicker Alex Herrera also missed a field goal off the right upright at the end of the second quarter.
The Gamecocks went 2 for 4 in the red zone overall.
“The whole key to this game was finishing,” Beamer said. “We didn’t finish.”
Illinois and South Carolina looked to make program history by winning the 10th game of the season in the Citrus Bowl. Illinois’ experience with the junior Altmeyer under center won the day to hit that mark. But Illinois has one of the youngest roster in the power conferences. So does South Carolina. Sellers put on an impressive display, and the future looks bright for both teams in 2025.
South Carolina looks to build on its strong finish and six-game winning streak to close the regular season. The Gamecocks will be in Atlanta to face Virginia Tech on Aug. 31 in its opener.
Illinois will look to build on a strong showing this season and open its 2025 season on Aug. 30 against Western Illinois.
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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – A ceremonial bill signing was held We Wednesday for a new law that enhances penalties for harming police animals in South Carolina.
H.3034 – also known as Fargo’s, Hyco’s, Rico’s, Coba’s, Wick’s, Mikka’s, and Bumi’s Law – was passed and ratified by state lawmakers in May.
The bill is named after seven police K-9’s lost in recent years acros South Carolina.
Gov. Henry McMaster later signed the bill into law, with it going into effect on May 15.
The law makes killing or severely injuring a police animal, such as a K-9 or horse, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
It also states that anyone convicted of that crime must pay back the full cost of the animal – including buying a new one, training and any veterinarian bills. The law also makes it a crime to fire at a police vehicle if an animal is inside.
Police are also required by law to keep detailed records when a K-9 bites or causes injury.
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Copyright 2026 WIS. All rights reserved.
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 June 2, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from June 2 drawing
15-26-43-48-60, Mega Ball: 12
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 2 drawing
Midday: 8-7-6, FB: 6
Evening: 3-8-3, FB: 6
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 2 drawing
Midday: 2-8-6-6, FB: 6
Evening: 7-1-4-4, FB: 6
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 2 drawing
Midday: 02
Evening: 06
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from June 2 drawing
01-04-05-07-34
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.
South-Carolina
South Carolina store owner found not guilty of murder in fatal shooting of Black teen
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Chikei Rick Chow has been found not guilty by a South Carolina jury on murder charges in the shooting death of a Black 14-year-old in Columbia.
Chow was charged in the May 28, 2023, shooting death of Cyrus Carmack-Belton outside Chow’s Shell gas station on Parklane Road.
Carmack-Belton ran from the store while being chased by Chow and his son, according to prosecutors.
Authorities said the pair pursued the teen after accusing him of stealing four bottles of water from the store.
Chow shot Carmack-Belton once in the back after his son claimed the teen had a gun. He was arrested the following day.
In November 2025, a judge denied Rick Chow immunity under South Carolina’s Stand Your Ground law and also denied bond, ruling the 60-year-old store owner was a danger to the community and a flight risk.
The ruling came after prosecutors presented surveillance video and photos in court showing Carmack-Belton running from the store. Authorities said the allegation of theft was not supported by surveillance video.
Chow has served three years in prison.
The unanimous decision came Monday evening after eight hours of deliberation.
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