Orlando bowl season ends with Illinois win, on-field wedding
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl a boom for Orlando tourism
The Citrus Bowl, played annually in Orlando since 1947, is the seventh-oldest bowl game in the country. It traditionally features top teams from the Big Ten and SEC, drawing fans from across the country. This year, it’s the final of three bowl games hosted in Orlando, the most of any city.
ORLANDO, Fla. - Tuesday's Cheez-It Citrus Bowl marks the end of bowl season in Orlando.
The city hosted three bowl games, which is more than any other this season. The Cure Bowl, Pop-Tarts Bowl and Cheez-It Citrus Bowl were all played in December at Camping World Stadium.
Florida Citrus Sports estimated the bowl games combined to pump roughly $100 million into the local economy.
"This is a family destination over the holidays to get here for the Citrus Bowl," one man said.
"My entire family is here," one woman said. "We drove 6.5 hours to see our Gamecocks play."
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The Citrus Bowl pitted 10th-ranked Illinois of the Big Ten against 15th-ranked South Carolina of the SEC.
It was a low-scoring battle, which ended with Illinois on top 21 to 17.
The game also included an on-field wedding.
"We love Cheez-Its," the groom said. "We love college football. We love each other."
"It’s the perfect combination," the bride added.
The Citrus Bowl is packed with history.
Illinois met South Carolina for the first time ever during the 79th edition of the bowl game. The Citrus Bowl was first played in 1947 and has been in Orlando since its inception.
Mike Dudek, a former Illinois wide receiver, said bowl games are fun for former players, too.
"Any time you can come back to a bowl game, and a bowl game as big as the Citrus Bowl, it’s super special," he said.
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