Former Flowery Branch quarterback Connor Shaw was named the SEC Football Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in South Carolina’s 54-3 rout of Kentucky.

Shaw completed 26 of 39 passes for 311 yards and four touchdowns, surpassing nearly all of his career passing totals. He added 15 carries for 42 yards on the ground.

It was his second start of the season for the Gamecocks. In his first, the season opener, he lasted just one quarter before he was replaced by Stephen Garcia. With a strong performance, Garcia won the starting job for the next four weeks.

When Garcia struggled, however, Shaw was again inserted as the starter.

“I learned a lot from Stephen and from watching coach Spurrier critique me, Stephen and all the quarterbacks,” Shaw told the Associated Press. “They just harped on being patient and when your opportunity is called on to make the most of it.”

And make the most of it, he did.

His four touchdown passes were the most by a Gamecock quarterback since 2006. In the first five games of 2011, South Carolina passers had combined for a total of four touchdown passes.

Shaw and the Gamecocks will play at Mississippi State on Saturday.