By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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Connor Shaw continues to set the tone for South Carolina.

The evaluation of quarterbacks has changed and not necessarily for the better. Yards, not wins, have become the ultimate measure. Height and weight have passed grit and toughness as the prototype for a position prime for leadership. Saturday night at Williams-Brice Stadium, what a signal caller was designed to be, perhaps what one should be, was on full display. Senior Connor Shaw scored two touchdowns and willed South Carolina to a 31-17 victory over archrival Clemson.

Shaw ends the regular season with 2,135 passing yards, 21 passing touchdowns and just one interception for the Gamecocks — remarkable totals. He also compiled 511 yards rushing. Most impressively, Shaw is now 26-5 as a starting quarterback and a perfect 17-0 at home. Those numbers make 6’1”, 209 not matter a whole lot.

“Connor Shaw, ah man, the best quarterback in school history,” head coach Steve Spurrier acknowledged. “He’s probably the difference maker completely for us.”

South Carolina’s fifth consecutive win versus the Tigers featued some vintage moments from its star quarterback. Shaw led the Gamecocks on a 17-play drive on their opening possession, a march he finished with a touchdown dive. The Georgia-native helped South Carolina convert 10-of-19 third down attempts and ran an offense that did not have a single turnover. Clemson, conversely, had six.

With a postseason win, the Gamecocks can finish with eleven victories for the third straight year. Shaw, specifically his attitude, has been at the core of that run.

“This is why we came to South Carolina,” Shaw nodded.

In his final season in Columbia, Shaw has defeated a top five Missouri team, Florida and Clemson. His 15-yard pass to Andre Ellington on 4th and Goal in overtime against Gary Pinkel’s Tigers stands as one of the most famous plays in program history. Having already recorded triumphs over Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl and Michigan in the Outback Bowl, Shaw can become the first quarterback in school history with three postseason victories.

Shaw continues to set the tone for South Carolina. In doing so, he has been remarkably efficient and has shown an ability to play with and beat the best. Above all else, he has led by example under center. Though his best attributes don’t always show up in the box score, his wins, the only stat that matters, always do.