The opposing head coaches had to be separated from each other after a taunt following an injury to a player during the Citrus Bowl on Tuesday.
Illinois defensive back Jaheim Clarke got injured on a play and was attended to by trainers and his head coach, Bret Bielema.
Bielema, visibly upset, taunted South Carolina with a substitution signal.
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Shane Beamer was not pleased with Bret Bielema’s taunt after a player’s injury.
It’s unclear who exactly Bielema directed his gesture towards, but Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer immediately reacted and had strong words for his counterpart.
Beamer had to be restrained by his staff, referees, and even some of his own players.
The game was intense with several taunting incidents throughout. Bielema downplayed the incident in his postgame interview, calling it simply “a football game.”
Head coach Bret Bielema of the Illinois Fighting Illini dismissed the incident during his postgame interview, calling it simply “a football game.”(Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
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The two exchanged a handshake and a quick hug after Illinois secured a 21-17 victory.
The incident seemed to energize the Gamecocks momentarily, leading to a touchdown just five plays after Beamer’s confrontation with Bielema, giving them a 17-14 lead early in the fourth quarter.
However, the Illini responded with a 12-play drive of their own, covering 75 yards and scoring a touchdown to regain the lead 21-17 midway through the quarter.
South Carolina made it inside the 10-yard line on their next drive but failed to score, allowing the Fighting Illini to run out the clock.
South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer needed to be restrained by his staff, referees, and even some of his own players.(AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr.)
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This is the fifth time Illinois has won 10 games in a season, the first since 2001.
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