Report Card: Arkansas 33, South Carolina 16

ARKANSAS 33, SOUTH CAROLINA 16
REPORT CARD
OFFENSE A
HIGHLIGHTS Arkansas proved it doesn't have to be all-or-nothing on offense. Rather than look for huge plays at key moments, the Razorbacks were content to work their way down field with runs and shorter passes. That helped Arkansas to a 10 of 16-conversion rate on third down. Quarterback Ryan Mallett got protection from his line and showed he can be efficient; completing 23 of 27 passes for 329 yards. Tight end D.J. Williams emerged from obscurity, catching 7 balls for 137 yards. And all the early-season criticism of "big back" Broderick Green looks silly now. Green ran for two touchdowns and got some crucial yardage when needed.
LOWLIGHTS Hard to find fault with much of what Arkansas did. It would have been nice to see Williams get a touchdown on his 69-yard reception just before halftime. Williams tripped at about the seven. Arkansas took what it was given, but rushing for less than 100 yards always seems too low. Mallett didn't throw for a touchdown. A lot of the criticisms are just nitpicky, honestly.
WHAT WE LARNED It is possible for the Razorbacks to win with almost nothing but big plays. It is possible for the Razorbacks to win with patience. It is going to be exciting when they consistently put both together at once.

DEFENSE A
HIGHLIGHTS Take away one play in the second half (yes, it sounds silly, but keep reading) and the Razorbacks played well defensively. Jerell Norton had a huge interception in the end zone, thwarting a South Carolina touchdown drive and helping set up one for Arkansas. Total the Razorbacks came up with four pass breakups and Gamecocks quarterback Stephen Garcia was sacked twice and hurried twice. Arkansas recorded a safety, getting two points and the ball. It didn't result in a touchdown, but the Razorbacks did milk the clock on the ensuing drive, which spanned parts of the third and fourth quarters.
LOWLIGHTS The sun rises. The sun sets. Arkansas gives up big plays on defense. It happens. South Carolina got an 80-yard touchdown to begin the second half, giving the Razorbacks' defense a total of 12 scores surrendered of 20-plus yards.
WHAT WE LEARNED Arkansas' defense might never play perfect, but it can play good enough to secure a win.

SPECIAL TEAMS A
HIGHLIGHTS Was that really an Arkansas punt return by Jerell Norton that went for 37 yards? Did Razorback kicker Alex Tejada land two kickoffs inside the end zone for touchbacks? Yes and yes. Arkansas looked much improved in two areas where it has struggled all season. Tejada also added a 24-yard field goal at a crucial moment, tying the game at 10 as time expired in the first half.
LOWLIGHTS It shouldn't take nine games for a team to record its first touchback on kickoffs. Dennis Johnson was relatively quiet and his longest return was only 16 yards. Has there been a worse call in the Bobby Petrino era than the botched fake punt inside the Razorbacks' own 25-yard line? Petrino called himself out for the mistake in the postgame press conference. South Carolina scored off the play, taking advantage of the short field, but Arkansas survived.
WHAT WE LEARNED There's hope for special teams yet.

OVERALL A-
WHAT WE LEARNED Arkansas can be really good at times. Consistency over the next three weeks will mean the difference between making a bowl and making a respectable bowl.

PLAYERS OF THE GAME
OFFENSE: A couple of times this year, the Razorbacks' play led us to forgo our usual player of the game selection for offense. We're making up for that this week by selecting two. Ryan Mallett showed a completely different side of his game in patiently completing 23 of 27 passes for 329 yards. D.J. Williams was a nice option for Mallett, catching 7 balls for 137 yards.
DEFENSE: Don't judge Jerell Norton on the volume of plays he made. It was the quality of play that defined Norton's day. Norton returned from a one-game suspension and provided the play of the game on defense when he intercepted Stephen Garcia in the end zone. Arkansas was ahead 17-16 at that point with the Gamecocks driving. Norton halted the drive and turned what looked to be a shootout into a blowout for Arkansas.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Kicker Alex Tejada didn't have a great day, but he did provide some key plays here and there. Tejada booted two kickoffs into the end zone, something no Arkansas kicker has done this year. He also kicked a field goal just before halftime to tie the game at 10. Sure, it was just a 24-yarder, but there was some pressure on the kick and Tejada responded well.