Oct. 10, 2011

University of South Carolina sophomore quarterback Connor Shaw has been named the Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Week, the league office announced today.

Making just his second career start, Shaw nearly surpassed his career totals in just about every passing category, as he completed 26-of-39 passes for 311 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions in the Gamecocks’ 54-3 rout of Kentucky. The 6-1, 204-pounder from Flowery Branch, Ga., also rushed 15 times for 42 yards. His touchdown passes were of 20, 11, 24 and 25 yards.

Shaw became the first Gamecock quarterback since 2006 to throw four touchdowns in a game. Carolina quarterbacks had thrown just four touchdowns in the first five games of the season combined. Carolina rolled up 639 yards of offense on 91 plays against the Wildcats. Shaw entered the game with 27 career completions in 44 attempts for 252 yards and one TD.

The No. 15/13 Gamecocks (5-1, 3-1 SEC) return to the practice fields Monday night at 7 p.m. as they begin preparations for Saturday’s SEC match at Mississippi State (3-3, 0-3 SEC). Game time is set for 12:21 p.m. ET and the contest will be televised on the SEC Network with Dave Neal, Andre Ware and Cara Capuano calling the action.