CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – Gas prices in South Carolina are pretty steady heading into a week notorious for holiday travel, with only a slight uptick in cost.

In the state, average prices are up but 0.8 cents per gallon in the past week, leaving motorists in the Lowcountry with an average gas price of $2.72 per gallon, according to GasBuddy’s survey of over 3,000 stations in South Carolina.

South Carolina’s gas prices are 2.9 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and 12.6 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

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In the Lowcountry, Monday morning’s lowest recorded gas price was found at a Murphy USA in Goose Creek, located at 603 St. James Avenue with a gallon going for $2.66. Saturday night, GasBuddy also recorded a price of $2.52 per gallon at a North Charleston Circle K located at 8410 Dorchester Road.

Statewide, the cheapest gallon of gas was selling for $2.33 while the most expensive cost $3.32, just barely missing the mark of a full dollar margin.

“We’ve seen a second consecutive weekly rise in the national average, driven by price cycling that led stations in the Great Lakes region to restore their margins to normal levels ahead of millions of motorists traveling for Christmas,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said.

“With oil prices continuing to move sideways, gas prices may hold near recent levels in the coming week… As families travel for the holidays, this volatility at the pump serves as a great reminder to check prices before filling up to save as much as 25 to 50 cents per gallon—a trend that will likely persist into 2025,” De Haan said. “As we close out the year, motorists can look forward to some good news at the pump in 2025.”

On the national level, gas prices rose 3.1 cents per gallon last week, with gas prices seeing an overall average of $3.01 per gallon.

That average is down 2.6 cents per gallon from a month ago and 9.2 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

Diesel prices have also seen a small rise to the tune of 0.6 cents per gallon in the past week, leaving an average price at the pump of $3.478 per gallon.

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On Sunday, former South Carolina wide receiver Tyshawn Russell signed with the Syracuse Orange. On3’s Pete Nakos reported the news.

Russell entered the transfer portal earlier this month after not factoring into the receiver room with the Gamecocks this year. He played a decent amount in 2023 before dropping in the pecking order ahead of the 2024 campaign. Russell will join a Syracuse team that finished 9-3 this fall.

During his time with the Gamecocks, Russell logged five catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. His one score came on a 50-yard bomb from LaNorris Sellers in 2023. However, he flashed more promise than those numbers might indicate. Thanks to a redshirt this season, he will have three more years of eligibility remaining.

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Russell was not the only receiver to leave Columbia via the transfer portal this offseason. Fellow second-year players CJ Adams and Elijah Caldwell also hit the portal. Neither Adams nor Caldwell have committed to new programs yet. True freshman Debron Gatling also entered the transfer portal, but he has since committed to Georgia Tech.

South Carolina has been in on several wide receiver targets in the transfer portal, though, they have already filled those vacated scholarship spots with true freshmen Malik Clark, Jordon Gidron, Brian Rowe, Jayden Sellers, and Lex Cyrus. The Gamecocks have five wideouts signed in the class of 2025 and could have a sixth coming soon if Donovan Murph picks USC during the Under Armour All-American Game in January.

As South Carolina prepares for its Citrus Bowl matchup against Illinois, the message from players is clear: this team isn’t just happy to be in Orlando.

The No. 15 Gamecocks (9-3) have their sights set on a historic tenth win, which would mark only the eighth time in program history the team has reached double-digit victories. Despite the disappointment of missing the expanded College Football Playoff, players emphasized their focus has shifted entirely to ending the season on a high note against the Fighting Illini (9-3).

“It’s just another chance to play with my teammates. All of them are like my brothers, even the coaching staff,” said defensive lineman Boogie Huntley, who confirmed earlier this week that he will play in the bowl game. “It’s just another opportunity to go out and have fun, show the nation and the world who South Carolina is.”

The Gamecocks enter the December 31 matchup at Camping World Stadium riding high after their victory over rival Clemson, a game that produced several players’ favorite moments of the season. Linebacker Debo Williams cited quarterback LaNorris Sellers’ game-winning touchdown run against the Tigers as his top memory, while Demetrius Knight Jr. still possesses the ball from his crucial interception to seal the rivalry win.

Sellers, whose heroics in the Clemson game have made him something of a campus celebrity, has maintained his focus despite the increased attention. “I trust him,” Sellers said of his relationship with coach Mike Shula, who was officially confirmed as the team’s new offensive coordinator earlier this week. “He’s coached a lot of guys and has a history with a lot of guys in the NFL. It’s about him trusting me and us continuing to have a great relationship from here on out.”

The defense, which has been a strength all season, appears motivated to finish strong. Safety Nick Emmanwori emphasized the team’s desire to approach this game differently than other teams who missed the playoff. “We want to come with a different mental approach,” Emmanwori said, noting the team is using the playoff snub as motivation.

For seniors like Tonka Hemingway, who recently won the Ray Tanner award, the bowl game represents one final opportunity to represent the school. “I’m really excited to put on the Garnet and black one more time and just leave it all out there,” Hemingway said.

South Carolina enters the game as an 9.5-point favorite against an Illinois team led by former Ole Miss quarterback Luke Altmyer, who has thrown for over 2,500 yards and 21 touchdowns this season. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. on ABC, as the Gamecocks seek to close out what has already been a memorable season with one more victory.