Illini fans squeeze two celebrations into one with Citrus Bowl victory

University of Illinois football fans got their New Years Eve celebrations started early.

Clad in Fighting Illini orange and blue, fans packed Joe's on Weed Street, 940 W. Weed St., in Goose Island to watch Illinois take on the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida, on Tuesday afternoon.

Eric Mennel, who graduated from the University of Illinois in 1986, said that to be an Illini fan is to know pessimism because the team hasn't had much luck in sports, so seeing them win a bowl game was a great way to end the year.

"It's nice to see them being competitive," said Mennel, who attended the watch party with several classmates.

They all got to see the Fighting Illini lift the George L. Stuart Trophy after beating the Gamecocks 21-17. It's their first bowl victory since 2011.

But before the final whistle blew the crowd was hanging on to every moment in the back-and-forth contest. Loud groans broke out after Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer threw an interception in the third quarter, ending the team's chance at a quick reply after the Gamecocks took the lead on a touchdown.

Cheers erupted and arms shot up in the air a couple of drives later when Illinois running back Josh McCray ran into the end zone, capitalizing on a Gamecocks fumble and retaking the lead.

The bar was decked out in Illinois orange and blue, but there was also new year-themed streamers, beads, hats and other party favors to celebrate the coming of 2025. Many attendees wore these celebratory items over their Illini attire. Each table popped a bottle of champagne.

For Mennel, the afternoon party was the extent of his New Year's Eve celebrations. The game was a chance to get together with his longtime Illini pals, who keep him connected with the school.

"When I was there I made the best friends of my life," Mennel said. "I go down there a lot, I still play fantasy football with them, we're still great friends, and we stay connected through sports."

Jessie Webster graduated from the university in 2017, and her grandmother also graduated from the university, so she feels like going to school there is like a family legacy, she said.

She loved the atmosphere of sporting events when she was a student and was glad to see so many people rooting for the Illini.

"You see so many people here doing the same thing," Webster said. "I always want to support Illinois academically, sports wise, everything."

Luis Villagomez graduated in 2020. He went to many football games but none as important as Tuesday's. "I'm just happy that they're in a bowl game because when I was in school they were never right," he said.

Villagomez said the atmosphere of community present at those games is part of the reason why graduates continue to support the sports teams even after leaving campus.

"I think it's the atmosphere of the games and the pride people have of going to Illinois," Villagomez said. "You see everybody have that community, and it continues even afterwards."

Villagomez has plans with family to celebrate New Years Eve, but the bowl game was almost just as important.

"To finally see them in a bowl game is really cool for me," he said.