South Carolina Gamecocks 17–21 Illinois Fighting Illini: Final Score & Recap | Week 1, 2024

Quick answer

Illinois Fighting Illini defeated South Carolina Gamecocks 21–17 in Week 1, 2024. Final score: South Carolina Gamecocks 17, Illinois Fighting Illini 21.

Game summary

Illinois Fighting Illini edged South Carolina Gamecocks 21–17 in Week 1 of the 2024 season.

Scoring: 5 touchdowns, 1 field goal across 6 plays.
Passing leader: Luke Altmyer (Illinois) — 254.0 pass yds, 1 TD, +0.14 EPA/play.
Rushing leader: Oscar Adaway III — 88.0 yds, 1 TD.
Receiving leader: Joshua Simon — 8 rec, 102.0 yds.
EPA edge: South Carolina (+0.011/play) vs Illinois (-0.116/play).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
South Carolina Gamecocks	3	0	6	6	17
Illinois Fighting Illini	6	0	6	6	21

Scoring Map

Each pin marks a score on the field — TDs in the end zone, field goals near the kick line.

SCSouth Carolina Gamecocks

+3OPP 12

OPP EZ

ILLIllinois Fighting Illini

FantasyHQ CFB Analytics

Scoring timeline

6 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

South Carolina
Q1FG
Points+3
Yard line
OPP 12
Score
3-0
Field goal good from 29 yards
Illinois
Q1TD
ZFZakhari Franklin
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
3-6
Luke Altmyer pass to Zakhari Franklin for a touchdown (15 yards)
South Carolina
Q3TD
OAOscar Adaway III
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
9-6
Oscar Adaway III rushes 36 yards for a touchdown
Illinois
Q3TD
JMJosh McCray
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
9-12
Josh McCray rushes 3 yards for a touchdown
South Carolina
Q4TD
JSJoshua Simon
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
15-12
LaNorris Sellers pass to Joshua Simon for a touchdown (6 yards)
Illinois
Q4TD
JMJosh McCray
Points+6
Yard line
OPP EZ
Score
15-18
Josh McCray rushes 9 yards for a touchdown

Stars of the game

Top passers, rushers, and receivers from cfbfastR play-by-play.

Passing

Luke Altmyer (Illinois) — 254.0 yds · 1 TD · +0.14 EPA/play +4.46 EPA
Kai Kroeger (South Carolina) — 0.0 yds · -2.36 EPA/play -2.36 EPA
LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina) — 341.0 yds · 1 TD · -0.04 EPA/play -2.53 EPA

Rushing

Oscar Adaway III (South Carolina) — 88.0 yds · 1 TD +0.15 EPA
Aidan Laughery (Illinois) — 86.0 yds -0.01 EPA
Josh McCray (Illinois) — 128.0 yds · 2 TD -0.68 EPA

Receiving

Joshua Simon (South Carolina) — 8 rec · 102.0 yds +0.48 EPA
Oscar Adaway III (South Carolina) — 12 rec · 60.0 yds -0.24 EPA
Nyck Harbor (South Carolina) — 5 rec · 76.0 yds +0.69 EPA

Quarterback report card

Attempts, efficiency, and EPA.

Player	Team	Att	Cmp%	Yds	TD	EPA/play	Total EPA
Luke Altmyer	Illinois	31	58.1%	254	1	+0.14	+4.46
Kai Kroeger	South Carolina	1	0.0%	0	0	-2.36	-2.36
LaNorris Sellers	South Carolina	56	62.5%	341	1	-0.04	-2.53

Team EPA comparison

Stat	South Carolina	Illinois
Plays	106	76
EPA / play	+0.011	-0.116
Total EPA	+1.20	-8.83
Success rate	44.3%	48.7%
Pass EPA / play	-0.086	+0.144
Rush EPA / play	+0.124	-0.296
Yards	555	485

Drive chart

Key possessions and results.

Qtr	Offense	Plays	Yards	EPA	Result
Q1	Illinois	6	-16	-7.36	Punt
Q1	South Carolina	21	100	+1.55	Field goal
Q1	Illinois	2	118	+8.95	Ended
Q1	South Carolina	1	4	-0.56	Ended
Q1	Illinois	2	1	-18.66	Fumble
Q1	South Carolina	5	6	-4.79	Punt
Q1	Illinois	20	96	+3.86	Pass TD
Q2	South Carolina	30	124	+0.50	Ended
Q2	Illinois	10	56	-0.53	Punt
Q2	South Carolina	21	88	+1.10	Missed FG
Q3	South Carolina	3	-11	-4.85	Punt
Q3	Illinois	3	-1	-3.29	Punt
Q3	South Carolina	5	58	+4.83	Rush TD
Q3	Illinois	5	31	-2.44	Interception
Q3	South Carolina	5	33	-3.63	Fumble
Q3	Illinois	9	63	+5.03	Rush TD

Biggest EPA swings

Q1 · Illinois Fighting Illini · Fumble (-11.16 EPA)
Q1 · Illinois Fighting Illini · Fumble (-7.5 EPA)
Q3 · South Carolina Gamecocks · Oscar Adaway III rushes 36 yards for a touchdown (+5.82 EPA)
Q3 · South Carolina Gamecocks · Fumble (-5.71 EPA)
Q1 · Illinois Fighting Illini · Luke Altmyer pass to Hank Beatty for 59 yards (1st & 10) (+4.48 EPA)
Q1 · Illinois Fighting Illini · Luke Altmyer pass to Hank Beatty for 59 yards (1st & 10) (+4.47 EPA)
Q3 · South Carolina Gamecocks · LaNorris Sellers pass to Dalevon Campbell for 60 yards (1st & 15) (+4.36 EPA)
Q1 · Illinois Fighting Illini · Punt (+3.82 EPA)

Key takeaways

Illinois Fighting Illini controlled the final (21–17) in Week 1.
Passing edge: Luke Altmyer (Illinois) — 254.0 yds, 1 TD.
EPA edge: South Carolina at 0.011 EPA/play.
Full EPA, scoring map, and play-by-play live in CFB Analytics Box & Scores.

Frequently asked questions

What was the final score of South Carolina Gamecocks vs Illinois Fighting Illini?

South Carolina Gamecocks 17, Illinois Fighting Illini 21 in Week 1 of the 2024 college football season.

Who won South Carolina Gamecocks vs Illinois Fighting Illini?

Illinois Fighting Illini won with a final score of 17–21.

Where can I find the South Carolina Gamecocks vs Illinois Fighting Illini box score?

See EPA, scoring timeline, and full play-by-play on FantasyHQ CFB Analytics: /cfb-analytics?game=401677103.

Who led South Carolina Gamecocks vs Illinois Fighting Illini in passing?

Luke Altmyer (Illinois) led passers with 254.0 yards and 1 touchdowns.

Full analytics box score

Explore every snap, drive chart, and the interactive scoring map for South Carolina Gamecocks at Illinois Fighting Illini in FantasyHQ CFB Analytics Box & Scores.