On New Year’s Eve, when Illinois takes the field in sunny Orlando, Florida, to face South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl (2 p.m. CT, on ESPN), it will be a day of firsts for Illini football.

Now, Illinois isn't able to send their players out in leather helmets or without facemasks ... then had a two-year stint with the brief New York Yankees football team before returning to the ...

It's safe to assume that Illinois, having already celebrated its Rededication Game in October against Michigan, the helmet choice could ... the 2024 season on New Year's Eve and send us into ...