1990 season

In the 1990 season, Moore and the Cavaliers started off with seven straight wins, including a groundbreaking 20–7 win over the Clemson Tigers, a team that Virginia had not beaten in its previous twenty-nine matches. The offense was prolific, scoring a combined 337 points in its first seven wins, and Moore had a direct hand in scoring more than 50% of the team's touchdowns. For the last three weeks of the seven game streak, the Virginia Cavaliers were ranked #1 in both major polls.^[3]

Moore relied on two main targets for his passing game: wide receiver Herman Moore, no relation to Shawn, and tight end Bruce McGonnigal. Despite Herman Moore's reputation as the most dangerous receiver on the field, McGonnigal was known for making clutch catches for first downs. However, in the week before the Georgia Tech game, McGonnigal ruptured his spleen,^[4] and a vital part of the passing game was suddenly missing. Georgia Tech prevailed 41–38, despite prolific passing numbers from Moore, including a 63–yard touchdown pass to Herman Moore. Stealing the Cavaliers' momentum, Georgia Tech went on to an undefeated season, a Citrus Bowl win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and a share of the national championship with the Colorado Buffaloes.

Already invited to the Sugar Bowl, the Cavaliers attempted to make the best of the season, and managed a 24–10 win over the North Carolina Tar Heels, but against the Maryland, the Cavaliers found themselves in another struggle, with both teams alternating the lead. Late in the game, Moore ran the ball and was tackled short of the Maryland goal line. In the resulting turmoil, a Maryland defender stepped upon the thumb of Moore's throwing hand, forcing it backwards, and dislocating (referred to as a "bad flipper") it for the rest of the season. Without Shawn Moore, the Virginia offense sputtered immediately, and Maryland took the win. The following week, Virginia Tech picked apart Virginia's inexperienced back-up quarterback, Matt Blundin, and the Cavaliers 7–0 start ended in an 8–3 showing.

Moore was brought back for the Sugar Bowl game against the #10 Tennessee Volunteers, and at first his presence kept Tennessee wary and prevented them from stacking the line. Virginia running backs Terry Kirby and Nikki Fisher ran for over 100 yards and Virginia led 16–0 at halftime. But with a few errant long passes in the first half revealing that Moore was not the threat he had been most of the season, Tennessee tightened its defense in the second half, and battled back to win 23–22.

In that 1990 season, Shawn Moore passed for 2262 yards and 21 touchdowns, and rushed for 306 yards and 8 touchdowns.^[5] Despite missing the last game of the regular season, Moore still led the NCAA in passing efficiency, even over eventual Heisman Trophy winner, Ty Detmer. He had broken nearly every major record for a quarterback at Virginia. Moore was voted fourth in Heisman balloting, at the time receiving more Heisman votes than any other ACC candidate had previously.^[3] His favorite receiver, Herman Moore, placed sixth in the balloting.