ORLANDO, Fla. -- Starting quarterback Connor Shaw sprained his right throwing shoulder and will be out two to three weeks. South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier said that he is hopeful Shaw will be back on the field in two weeks after being knocked out of the Gamecocks' 28-25 win against UCF on Saturday.
Shaw left the game during the Gamecocks' opening series after he landed awkwardly on his shoulder during a run with 6:34 left in the first quarter. Shaw was dragged to the ground by UCF linebacker Terrance Plummer and fumbled. The Knights recovered the ball and Shaw came up holding his shoulder.
| NO. 12 SOUTH CAROLINA 28, UCF 25 |
|---|
  |
| Recap Box Score Highlights |
He was taken to the locker room and replaced by backup Dylan Thompson on the next series. Shaw returned to the sideline wearing a sling and ice pack. The Gamecocks trailed 10-0 at halftime without Shaw, but rallied to beat UCF.
''Hopefully, he'll be back in two weeks ready to go,'' Spurrier said. ''He didn't see that guy. He was cutting back and just never saw the guy.''
Shaw entered the game on one of his best starts to a season as the Gamecocks' starter, having thrown six touchdowns without an interception.
Thompson completed some early throws, but had several potential big-play passes dropped by receivers. He finished the game 15 of 32 for 261 yards and an interception.
Both Thompson and the Gamecocks' offense settled down in the third quarter, relying on their rushing attack to take control of the game.
Thompson had filled in strongly as a starter other times, particularly in a 27-17 victory at Clemson this past November. While Thompson's more of a thrower than a runner, Spurrier doesn't believe it will affect the Gamecocks' offensive play going forward.
''I believe we can still hand the ball off to Mike Davis,'' he said.
Spurrier said Brendan Nosovitch will back up Thompson and walk-on Perry Orth would be third on the depth chart.
Backup tailback Brandon Wilds dislocated an elbow and could be out up to a month.
