That was it — Illinois had a 10-win football team for the first time since 2001, a bowl win for the first time since 2011 and arguably its biggest win in any game since the 2007 upset at No. 1 Ohio State.

The Illini save their best for last in a 21-17 win over the favored Gamecocks to secure their first 10-win season since 2001

Illinois' defense helped seal the win by stopping South Carolina with a little more than three minutes remaining.