Illinois' 2024 Citrus Bowl Win and a Custom Illini Jersey Plan
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The best recent reason to order a custom Illinois jersey is the 2024 season. On December 31, 2024, Illinois beat South Carolina 21-17 in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in Orlando and finished 10-3. The Fighting Illini athletics site called it the program's first 10-win season since 2001, and the numbers from that night give you plenty of ideas for a name and number of your own.
Why the 2024 Citrus Bowl mattered
Per fightingillini.com, the win carried several firsts and milestones:
- It was the program's first bowl victory since 2011.
- It was the first win over an SEC opponent in Illinois history.
- It tied the school record for wins in a season and made the 2024 group only the fifth Illinois team to reach 10 wins.
- Head coach Bret Bielema reached 10 wins for the first time at Illinois.
The players behind the 21 points
Running back Josh McCray was named game MVP after 13 carries for 114 yards and two touchdowns, including a 60-yard run in the fourth quarter that set up the clinching drive. Quarterback Luke Altmyer threw for 174 yards and a 15-yard touchdown to Zakhari Franklin. Hank Beatty caught four passes for 90 yards, including a 59-yarder, and Matthew Bailey led the defense with 13 tackles.
Turning that game into a jersey number
A custom jersey lets you pick any number, so it helps to have a short list. Here are options taken straight from the game:
- 21 for Illinois' final score.
- 10 for the 10-win season.
- 24 for the 2024 season itself.
- 60 for McCray's late run, if you want something fans in the know will recognize.
If you would rather follow a player-style look, designs like Luke Altmyer #9 or Red Grange #77 show how the Illini template handles a single digit versus a classic two-digit number. The jersey pictured above, a Jeff George #11 split design, shows a third option that mixes the two main team colors.
Orange or blue?
Illinois teams go by the Orange and Blue, and both work on a custom jersey. A few things to weigh:
Navy blue base
Blue is the safer everyday choice. It pairs with jeans, hides wear well and lets orange numbers stand out.
Orange base
Orange is the louder pick. It is easy to spot in a crowd and works well for a group of friends who want to match at a game.
Split or throwback styles
Some Illinois designs split the colors or use a throwback treatment. These are fun for a second jersey once you already own a standard version.
Football or basketball?
Many people searching for a custom Illini jersey are basketball fans, too. If you will mostly wear it in State Farm Center or at a watch party, a basketball cut is lighter and works over a T-shirt. For football Saturdays at Memorial Stadium in late fall, a football cut leaves room for a layer underneath.
Ready to build yours?
When you know the color, number and name you want, browse these personalized Fighting Illini jerseys and read the listing details for how the name and number fields work before checkout.
Before you order
- Decide whether this jersey is about the 2024 season or a personal number.
- Choose blue for everyday wear or orange to stand out.
- Keep the name short enough to fit across the shoulders.
- Double-check spelling, especially for gifts.
A 10-win season does not come around often in Champaign. A jersey that marks it is a good way to remember where you watched it.