Gallery | Illini travel to Tampa, Fla. for ReliaQuest Bowl

By Sidney Malone, Staff Photographer January 8, 2023

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Illinois fans from across the country drove, rode and flew down to Tampa, Fla. to watch the Fighting Illini face off against Mississippi State in the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl game on Monday. — Sidney Malone
Illinois fans from across the country drove, rode and flew down to Tampa, Fla. to watch the Fighting Illini face off against Mississippi State in the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl game on Monday.

Fighting Illini fans filled the fields of Tampa, Fla. to tailgate hours before the ReliaQuest bowl on Monday. — Sidney Malone
Fighting Illini fans filled the fields of Tampa, Fla. to tailgate hours before the ReliaQuest bowl on Monday.

Students from Illinois traveled to see the Fighting Illini take on the Bulldogs in Tampa, Fla. on Monday. — Sidney Malone
Students from Illinois traveled to see the Fighting Illini take on the Bulldogs in Tampa, Fla. on Monday.

Illinois fans enjoy the balmy 80º weather in Tampa, Fla. before the game on Monday. — Sidney Malone
Illinois fans enjoy the balmy 80º weather in Tampa, Fla. before the game on Monday.

Director of the Marching Illini, Barry L. Houser, greets members of the brass section as the premiere collegiate marching band takes their seats before the game on Monday. — Sidney Malone
Director of the Marching Illini, Barry L. Houser, greets members of the brass section as the premiere collegiate marching band takes their seats before the game on Monday.

The Fighting Illini offense lines up against the Mississippi State Bulldogs Monday at the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl game in Tampa, Fla., on Jan. 2, 2023, at the Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccanneers. — Sidney Malone
The Fighting Illini offense lines up against the Mississippi State Bulldogs Monday at the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl game in Tampa, Fla., on Jan. 2, 2023, at the Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccanneers.

Mississippi State running back Jo'quavious Marks stares down Illini defensive back Tyler Strain during the ReliaQuest Bowl game on Monday in Tampa, Fla. — Sidney Malone
Mississippi State running back Jo'quavious Marks stares down Illini defensive back Tyler Strain during the ReliaQuest Bowl game on Monday in Tampa, Fla.

Illini wide receiver Isaiah Williams hauls in a pass Monday during the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla. — Sidney Malone
Illini wide receiver Isaiah Williams hauls in a pass Monday during the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.

Illinois wide receiver Brian Hightower battles for the ball against a Mississippi State defender Monday in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla. — Sidney Malone
Illinois wide receiver Brian Hightower battles for the ball against a Mississippi State defender Monday in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.

Illinois wide receiver Casey Washington waits for a pass as a Bulldog defender closes in Monday during the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla. — Sidney Malone
Illinois wide receiver Casey Washington waits for a pass as a Bulldog defender closes in Monday during the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.

Illinois running back Josh McCray stiff arms a Mississippi State defensive player during a first-half rush in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Monday. — Sidney Malone
Illinois running back Josh McCray stiff arms a Mississippi State defensive player during a first-half rush in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Monday.

Illinois quarterback Tommy DeVito and offensive lineman Isaiah Adams celebrate a second-quarter touchdown Monday during the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla. It was Illinois’ only touchdown in the game. — Sidney Malone
Illinois quarterback Tommy DeVito and offensive lineman Isaiah Adams celebrate a second-quarter touchdown Monday during the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla. It was Illinois’ only touchdown in the game.

“That’s a penalty!” Head coach Bret Bielema disputes a play by Mississippi State to an official in the second quarter of the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla. — Sidney Malone
“That’s a penalty!” Head coach Bret Bielema disputes a play by Mississippi State to an official in the second quarter of the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.

Illinois football head coach Bret Bielema argues with an official Monday during the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla. — Sidney Malone
Illinois football head coach Bret Bielema argues with an official Monday during the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.

Mississippi State wide receiver Justin Robinson goes up to catch a pass in the back of the end zone. After review, Robinson was ruled in bounds, allowing the Bulldogs to tie the Illini at 10-10 at the start of the fourth quarter Monday at the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla. — Sidney Malone
Mississippi State wide receiver Justin Robinson goes up to catch a pass in the back of the end zone. After review, Robinson was ruled in bounds, allowing the Bulldogs to tie the Illini at 10-10 at the start of the fourth quarter Monday at the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.

Illinois takes on Mississippi State in the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl game in Tampa, Fla. on January 2, 2023 at the Raymond James Stadium home of the Tampa Bay Buccanneers. — Sidney Malone
Illinois takes on Mississippi State in the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl game in Tampa, Fla. on January 2, 2023 at the Raymond James Stadium home of the Tampa Bay Buccanneers.

Illinois fans cheer on the team Monday at the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla. — Sidney Malone
Illinois fans cheer on the team Monday at the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.

Illinois takes on Mississippi State in the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl game in Tampa, Fla. on January 2, 2023 at the Raymond James Stadium home of the Tampa Bay Buccanneers. — Sidney Malone
Illinois takes on Mississippi State in the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl game in Tampa, Fla. on January 2, 2023 at the Raymond James Stadium home of the Tampa Bay Buccanneers.

Members of the Illinettes dance team perform on the sidelines Monday during the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla. — Sidney Malone
Members of the Illinettes dance team perform on the sidelines Monday during the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.

Head Coach Bret Bielema looks on as Mississippi State makes a field goal to tie the game, as it became clear that Illinois might not yet have a win sealed. — Sidney Malone
Head Coach Bret Bielema looks on as Mississippi State makes a field goal to tie the game, as it became clear that Illinois might not yet have a win sealed.

Mississippi State cornerback Marcus Banks brings a scoop and score into the endzone after a frantic pass-off among the Illinois offense got away from the Fighting Illini. FInal score: Mississippi State 19, Illinois 10. — Sidney Malone
Mississippi State cornerback Marcus Banks brings a scoop and score into the endzone after a frantic pass-off among the Illinois offense got away from the Fighting Illini. FInal score: Mississippi State 19, Illinois 10.

Support and coaching staff from Mississippi State and Illinois rush to break up a scrum in the center of the field after the final play scoop and score. The play was put under review but ultimately stood. — Sidney Malone
Support and coaching staff from Mississippi State and Illinois rush to break up a scrum in the center of the field after the final play scoop and score. The play was put under review but ultimately stood.

Head Coach Bret Bielema reacts to the Fighting Illini’s 19-10 loss at the ReliaQuest bowl game in Tampa, Fla. on January 2. Bielema added another recruit to the class of 2024 with Florida defensive back Amar Reynolds. — Sidney Malone
Head Coach Bret Bielema reacts to the Fighting Illini’s 19-10 loss at the ReliaQuest bowl game in Tampa, Fla. on January 2. Bielema added another recruit to the class of 2024 with Florida defensive back Amar Reynolds.

Mississippi State Wide Receiver Justin Robinson lifts the ReliaQuest trophy on stage following the Bulldogs’ win against Illinois on Monday. To the right, a member of the Bowl staff holds a “MIKE” flag, one of many symbols of remembrance for Mississippi State’s eccentric head coach Mike Leach who passed away just weeks before the game. Robinson was later named MVP. — Sidney Malone
Mississippi State Wide Receiver Justin Robinson lifts the ReliaQuest trophy on stage following the Bulldogs’ win against Illinois on Monday. To the right, a member of the Bowl staff holds a “MIKE” flag, one of many symbols of remembrance for Mississippi State’s eccentric head coach Mike Leach who passed away just weeks before the game. Robinson was later named MVP.

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