And while Shaw's "Black" team fell 21-17, the former Flowery Branch High standout finished the day 17-of-27 for 176 yards and a touchdown.
"I thought I played pretty decent. There were some times I overthrew some receivers I could have hit, but overall I did pretty well," Shaw told reporters after the game.
Head coach Steve Spurrier saw some inconsistencies from all of his quarterbacks on Saturday.
"Connor had some errant plays. (On the) first drive we got down there and had some mistakes right around the 10-yard line," Spurrier said. "That's good for him. He needs to just play, play, play and play and learn that you gotta' have plan for every play and try and execute it.
"Seemed like our balls (from all quarterbacks) were a little late getting there most of the day. A lot of balls were off target most of the day."
Shaw came into the scrimmage as the team's top signal caller after senior starter Stephen Garcia was suspended indefinitely earlier in the week. It was Garcia's fifth suspension of his career in Columbia and second of the year.
"The Stephen situation really doesn't faze me," Shaw said. "It doesn't matter if he's going to be on the field or off the field; I'm going to compete to the best of my ability. If I'm called on to be a starter or play, I'll be ready."
Shaw, a sophomore, played in nine games as a back-up in 2010, completing 69.7 percent of his passes (23-of-33) for 223 yards. He was also the team's fourth-leading rusher, gaining 165 yards on 32 carries.
Garcia passed for 3,059 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2010, leading the Gamecocks to the Southeastern Conference championship game, where they were defeated by Auburn.
Shaw said that he's talked to Garcia since the suspension and that Garcia has expressed regret at the situation.
"Of course he's going to be discouraged, and he's been asking how practice is going," Shaw said. "He's been trying to keep up with the team. I know he wishes he could be here."
Regardless, Shaw believes he's used spring practice to the best of his abilities and has improved dramatically.
"I think this spring was important for me as far as getting the reps and experience. I feel like I'm more comfortable than I was earlier," Shaw said. "There's no comparison (to the end of last season). My knowledge of the playbook, defenses; I've adapted to the speed of the game. I feel real comfortable out there. Every aspect of my game I can work on and get better at. I've just got to prepare myself for whenever I'm called."
Spurrier is also encouraged by what he's seen from Shaw over the past few weeks.
"He's had a good spring, and as you can see when he takes his steps and throws it on time, he can zip it in there. He can make all throws," Spurrier said.
South Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw throws passes during practice in Columbia, S.C. / photo: Paul Collins/GamecockCentral.com
http://accesswdun.com/article/2011/4/237801