Steve Spurrier needed to see separation at the quarterback position during Saturday’s spring game and above all else, wanted to keep players healthy as South Carolina adjusts to new faces along the defensive line and at the wide receiver spots.

Michael Scarnecchia led a game-winning, 90-yard two-minute drill in the final minutes with a 2-yard slant to Terry Googer, but it was redshirt sophomore Connor Mitch who was most consistent on the day, finding a rhythm early before settling in to lead a couple scoring drives in the first half.

Long considered the favorite to win the job, Mitch handled first-team duties for the Gamecocks and was turnover-free, but Scarnecchia’s final drive led Black to a 14-13 win over Garnet.

Not counting a nifty touchdown pass to a wide open Darius Rucker on the first possession of the game, Mitch completed 9-of-15 passes for 152 yards. Mitch did a good job cycling through targets at the second level just beyond South Carolina’s linebackers and moved well around the pocket.

“Everyone was ready for this day and practicing hard during the 14 or 15 practices we’ve had,” Mitch said. “It was more anxiousness than anything. I’m just going to continue to try and get better every day, and as a unit offense and defense. We’ll work our tails off this summer and get ready for fall.”

The Gamecocks kept zone-read quarterback keepers to a minimum and let David Williams along with Darius Paulk handle the majority of the carries. Senior Brandon Wilds got in on the action too in limited work.

“I think all the quarterbacks did some good things here and there and the receivers made some plays when they could get open,” Spurrier said.

Spurrier, who said last week he’s not against playing multiple quarterbacks, hasn’t claimed a frontrunner. It may taken all of fall practice, especially with Lorenzo Nunez arriving later this summer, to determine a starter.

“They all seem to have their stats very similar every time we scrimmage,” Spurrier said. “So maybe that’s the kind of team we are.”

Defensively, JUCO transfer and spring MVP Marquavius Lewis had several hurries and was extremely active. Jasper Sasser picked off two passes, South Carolina’s leader in takeaways during spring drills according to co-defensive coordinator Jon Hoke.

SEC Network’s Kaylee Hartung chatted with Rucker in the first half and former quarterback Connor Shaw, the program’s all-time winningest passer, in the second.

Shaw has kept his eye on South Carolina’s current quarterback battle, but hasn’t spoken with any of the players in the competition.

“I’d tell the guys don’t overthink it and play the game the way they know how to play,” he said.

A newlywed and recent first-time father, Shaw bought a home in South Carolina and is making Greenville, S.C. his offseason home.

“I’m a Georgia boy but I claim the Palmetto State,” he said.