If you need proof that non-CFP bowl games matter, look no further than the Citrus Bowl between South Carolina and Illinois on Tuesday. This game got so testy, the two head coaches almost needed to trade in their headsets for boxing gloves.
It all started with some unorthodox late defensive substitutions by the Illini, which delayed South Carolina’s pace and clearly got under the skin of Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer. During an in-game interview, he told the ABC broadcast Illinois should be penalized for 12 men on the field. Regardless, officials allowed it.
Fast forward to the third quarter, Illinois coach Bret Bielema was checking on an injured player on South Carolina’s side of the field when he decided to taunt Beamer with the arms-out substitution sign. Suffice to say, Beamer didn’t appreciate it because he absolutely snapped.
— no context college football (@nocontextcfb) December 31, 2024
This was all kinds of petty from Bielema, but it brought some excitement to what was already a decent game.