FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Coming into the weekend, Arkansas’ Ryan Mallett was billed as the best quarterback in a league that’s suddenly bereft of them.

That was pretty accurate. So was Mallett on Saturday against South Carolina.

The strong-armed sophomore completed 23 of 27 passes for 329 yards.

That’s the most passing yards the Gamecocks, who came in second in the league in pass defense, have surrendered all season.

“He’s got a cannon. I saw that when I first met him,” South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia said. “He throws the ball as hard and as well as anybody I’ve ever seen throw it.”

When they were in high school, Mallett and Garcia were among the quarterbacks at the prestigious Elite 11 camp.

Clemson’s Willy Korn and Georgia’s Logan Gray were also there.

Mallett, who is from Texarkana, Ark., initially went to Michigan. But after Lloyd Carr stepped down, he transferred back home.

After sitting out a year because of the transfer, Mallett has thrown for 2,477 yards and has an 18-3 TD-to-interception ratio.

A first-team All-SEC nod is certainly a possibility for the 6-7, 238-pounder.

“He’s very impressive to watch,” Garcia said. “He’s a good player.”

Playing D.J.

The Gamecocks were dropping back into coverage quite a bit to guard against Mallett’s deep throws. But that ended up creating opportunities underneath for the Hogs’ backs and tight end.

D.J. Williams had been quiet this year, but he made plenty of noise Saturday.

Williams had a game-high 137 receiving yards on seven catches.

The preseason All-SEC tight end had only 16 catches for 170 yards in eight games.

“He’s done a great job for them,” USC defensive head coach Ellis Johnson said. “He’s caught some critical balls for them. I don’t know what his stats are, if they’re flashy, but he’s been a really good receiver for them.”

Fading away

Maybe South Carolina has gone to the fade to Alshon Jeffery one too many times.

Garcia’s only interception of the day came on a lobbed ball to the freshman receiver in the end zone. Arkansas safety Jerell Norton came down with the ball.

That play helped the Gamecocks win the Kentucky game. But that was nearly a month ago.

“I guess defenses have seen us do that so much that they’re sprinting back there and making plays,” Garcia said.

He added he might have thrown the pass too early.

“I might not have given him a chance to run down there,” Garcia said of Jeffery.

Gusty day

It was a breezy afternoon in Northwest Arkansas. The wind was steadily blowing about 10 miles an hour, with gusts higher than 30.

Garcia said he and backup Reid McCollum threw on the field before the game.

“It took some getting used to,” Garcia said, “but it didn’t bother me during the game.”

Garcia was off the mark early in the game, but he said the wind wasn’t a factor.

Depleted defense

Injured defensive end Cliff Matthews made the trip, but did not dress. He’s nursing a shoulder injury that’s expected to keep him out next week as well.

“It affected us a lot,” defensive tackle Ladi Ajiboye said. “We needed him in this game.”

South Carolina was also without starting free safety Chris Culliver, who was suspended for this game. Culliver is expected back against Florida.

Also, left tackle Jarriel King (concussion) didn’t make the trip.

Injury report

The Gamecocks came out of the game very healthy.

Devin Taylor, who started in place of Matthews, bruised his chest. Reserve running back Eric Baker bruised his elbow in special teams play.

Johnson also said end Clifton Geathers has a bruised ribcage, but he wasn’t listed on the official injury report.

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