If South Carolina’s 44-30 loss to 16th-ranked Arkansas on Saturday is any reflection of their 2022 season, the Gamecocks will be locked into another mediocre campaign.

Their defeat didn’t follow in lockstep with their energizing victory over Georgia State last week, but there were some positives. They have little time to clean up their miscues with 2nd-ranked Georgia heading to Williams-Brice Stadium for a noon kickoff next Saturday.

Here are some thoughts and grades on Carolina’s performance:

3 things I liked

Spencer Rattler again looked like the solution

After he went 24-for-39 with 367 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception and a 57 quarterback rating, Rattler had his share of critics online.

Yes, Rattler did have miscues, with a bad interception on a forced ball that he released too late and 3 fumbles, 1 that he lost. He again had his share of overthrows — 3 appeared destined for a score — and he held onto the ball too long on some attempts.

But he has established that he can throw the long ball and throw on the run out of the pocket. Rattler also can be a threat running out of the backfield, knowing when to take off.

In his defense, Rattler was under pressure, as he was sacked 6 times and hurried just as often.

More importantly, Rattler established himself as a gritty gamer who kept his team in the game until the end. Offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield opened up the game plan more for Rattler this week.

This was the first prime test for Rattler against a top-notch defense, and he performed better than adequate. The report cards will be scrutinized more heavily with plenty more ahead, beginning with Georgia.

The Gamecocks never quit

Late in the 2nd quarter, the game turned into a battle of momentum.

Arkansas scored on its first 3 possessions in the opening half, and the Razorbacks looked to blow it open late in the half with a field-goal attempt. But their attempt went wide, and South Carolina took advantage.

Rattler converted a 4th down on a scramble, then MarShawn Lloyd scooted around the end for a 7-yard score that brought Carolina back to within striking distance.

The Gamecocks’ defense made a key stop to start the 3rd quarter, and their offense took advantage when Rattler hit Antwane Wells Jr. in stride in the middle of field, and Wells outran the secondary for a 62-yard masterpiece.

The Gamecocks fell behind by 42-24 on a botched onside kick that nearly resulted in a touchdown and their defense’s inability to clamp down on the Razorbacks’ running game.

But they closed to within 42-30 in Jaheim Bell’s score before a questionable safety call sank their momentum.

Rattler scrambled for his life at the end and suffered consecutive sacks. A fumble recovery for a score was waved off in the final seconds.

Arkansas showed enough to establish itself as one of the top 5 teams in the SEC, and the Gamecocks held their own until the end.

The Wells/Lloyd/McDowell trifecta

Wells finished the day with a team-high 8 catches for 189 yards and 1 score. Last week against Georgia State, he also was the team’s leading receiver with 7 grabs for 59.

It’s apparent that Wells has some chemistry with Rattler. He also has the speed and strength to break in the open field, which can only help the connection in the future.

Lloyd also showed his ability to shed tackles and move gingerly through open holes. His stats don’t show it — 7 carries for 23 yards — but Lloyd exhibited plenty of explosiveness at times. He also proved to be a valuable weapon out of the backfield with 6 catches for 72 yards, including a 43-yard romp.

McDowell was the team’s leading rusher with 35 yards on 6 carries for a 5.8 clip. McDowell exhibited his speed to get outside, and he should be a future threat.

3 things I didn’t like

Rush defense and overall defensive performance

The Gamecocks didn’t have any answers for Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson and running back Raheim Sanders, who helped lead a 295-yard, 65-carry assault on the ground. Last week, USC allowed 200 yards rushing to Georgia State.

Arkansas entered the game with arguably the league’s best rushing attack. It proved it by scoring 5 of its 6 touchdowns via the running game.

Sanders, who finished with 156 yards on a workhorse 24 carries, had 61 yards and a pair of scores in the opening half. Jefferson, who rushed for 67 yards on 19 carries with 1 score, had untimely runs that kept drives alive and worked the clock to the Razorbacks’ advantage.

The Gamecocks managed 2 sacks and 1 hurry, and Arkansas converted 9 of 16 3rd-down attempts. Arkansas had drives of 13, 12, 12 and 14 plays.

Carolina’s run defense and lack of pass rush has to be addressed very soon.

Offensive line play

The Gamecocks’ unit opened some more holes for the backfield, and time should be on its side.

But it had trouble containing Arkansas’ defensive scheme, which caused fits for Rattler and held the Gamecocks to 40 total yards rushing and a dismal 1.4 average.

As a result, the O-line issued 6 sacks and hurries alike, and Arkansas registered 9 tackles for losses and 3 pass deflections.

Maybe it wasn’t all its fault, but this veteran unit needs a more consistent showing.

Special teams weren’t special

Last week against Georgia State, special teams coach Pete Lembo had a magic wand in creating a pair of blocked punts for touchdowns.

This week, the magic wore off.

Kicker Mitch Jeter booted a 28-yard field goal, but he missed the extra point on the Gamecocks’ 1st touchdown. Punter Kai Kroeger had a flat afternoon, averaging 34.7 per kick, including a 21-yard shank.

Jeter’s onside kick attempt in the 3rd quarter went right to Arkansas’ Bumper Pool, and he rambled 34 yards that led to a score a few plays later.

On a bright note, Xavier Legette returned 2 kickoffs for a combined 55 yards.

Grades

Offense: B

Rattler had some solid 2nd-half moments, but he still needs to address his inconsistency at times. He did have some nice connections downfield, and the running game had its moments.

But the offense will depend on the maturation of the offensive line. Rattler has the weapons, but the line needs to provide better protection. The Gamecocks converted only 3 of 10 3rd-down attempts.

Defense: B-

Stopping the run was the problem. In 2 games, the Gamecocks have given up a combined 495 yards rushing. Arkansas ran 86 total plays, 65 of them rushing.

USC’s pass defense was solid overall, as it held Arkansas to 162 yards. The secondary did lose Cam Smith and Darius Rush to injuries.

Jordan Burch was the bright spot with 11 tackles and 2 sacks, and Zacch Pickens had 12 stops and 0.5 sacks.

Special teams: C

This unit can be a game-changer for USC, as it was in the opening-game victory. It will need to be consistent in all phases to keep the Gamecocks in games.

The real backbreaker was the onside kick return for 34 yards, which shifted momentum back to Arkansas. Before halftime, a missed extra point soured its spirits.

Jeter looks like he can be a steady kicker, and Kroeger has potential to be consistent.