FAYETTEVILLE — The day Bobby Petrino was hired at Arkansas, Clint Stoerner knew his days as the most prolific quarterback in the school’s record book were numbered.

Today, less than two years after Petrino landed in Fayetteville, Stoerner’s name is likely to be bumped down a slot to No. 2.

And Stoerner has absolutely no problem with the fact that his 11-year-old record for passing yards in a season (2,629) is likely to be broken today by Ryan Mallett in Razorback Stadium.

“Records are made to be broken,” Stoerner said. “The day Coach Petrino was hired, it was just a matter of time before someone shattered them. I just appreciate the fact that [Mallett] thinks highly of the Razorbacks, he grew up here and thinks highly of the way I played the game of football and looks up to that — that fact that I played with respect and dignity.

“I’m glad and proud it’s coming from a guy like Ryan.”

Mallett grew up as a child in nearby Lincoln, where he looked up to Stoerner. The redshirt sophomore was a passionate Razorback fan, making his run at the record books even more special for Stoerner.

Mallett has thrown for 2,477 yards and 18 touchdowns with three interceptions and is close to several passing records with three games remaining in the regular season. The sophomore is also tied for third for passing touchdowns in a season, a record held by Stoerner with 26 touchdown passes in 1998.

“It’d be a great honor, especially being from the team you’ve always grown up being a fan of and watching,” Mallett said of possibly breaking Stoerner’s record for passing yards in a season. “Going back to Clint, I think that’s the last time we really had somebody that threw it around the yard. He was one of my idols when I was growing up.”

Mallett has been reminded throughout the week of his record pace by the media and fans.

For Stoerner, it was quite a bit different during his run in 1998.

“I didn’t pay attention to it and never have paid attention to it,” Stoerner said. “I think the only time I paid attention to a record was when I audibled late in a game to get [wide receiver] Anthony Lucas his 1,000 yards in a season. I did that just because I thought so highly of Anthony Lucas.”

Stoerner also had the luxury of an eight-game winning streak to start the 1998 season that diverted any record-setting chatter.

“It was a good run,” Stoerner said. “Looking back on it, it’s hard to believe that, as few times we threw the football and as low a percentage my completions were, it’s amazing how many yards we ended up throwing for.”

Stoerner will be watching today when Arkansas takes on Troy at 6:30 p.m. Mallett and the current record holder keep in contact throughout the season, sending text messages to each other twice a week on average, Stoerner said.

Stoerner hopes to speak to Mallett in person tonight.

“If he wasn’t an Arkansas guy, I think it would mean less,” Stoerner said. “But the fact that he’s an in-state guy and a big fan of the Hogs and watched me, I think there is no question that, when he shatters records, I’ll reach out and congratulate him.”