As a former college quarterback, Scott Shafer can relate to AJ Long.

So as Syracuse (3-5, 1-3 Atlantic Coast) moves forward after Saturday night’s rough outing at Clemson, Shafer views it as a growing experience for his true freshman quarterback.

“For an 18-year-old kid going into Death Valley, hell of a situation but one that you learn from,” Shafer said Wednesday morning during the ACC coaches’ teleconference. “I always felt like, especially at quarterback, you learn more from your failures than you did your triumphs.”

In Syracuse’s 16-6 loss to the Tigers, Long competed just 12 of his 27 passing attempts for 82 yards, throwing two interceptions, taking four sacks and fumbling three times, though SU recovered each one.

Facing reporters after the game and again Tuesday night, Long owned up to his mistakes. Shafer called him “his own biggest critic.”

“The good thing about AJ is even though he’s extremely hard on himself, he’s one of the guys that he’ll just go out there and play the next game, the next practice,” Shafer said. “And that’s what he did yesterday at practice. Some guys, they compartmentalize and they freak out a little bit and that’s not who AJ is.”

Shafer mentioned the talk he had with Long during halftime of Saturday’s game, in which he asked his quarterback to remember the best game he’s ever played. When Long said that his best performance was happening in almost “slow motion,” the head coach reminded Long to breathe, slow down and “see what you’re taught to see” in the Tigers’ defense.

Shafer said he thought Florida State’s defense was great, Notre Dame’s was excellent and he thought the same of Louisville’s. But out of all the defenses the Orange has played this season, Clemson was the best.

And he believes his young quarterback will be better off for having faced it as he approaches his third start, which will be Saturday at home against North Carolina State.

“I think AJ has postured himself well and prepared for N.C. State to make that comeback,” Shafer said, “and feel good about his progress as he moves forward.

“I’m confident he’ll come back and have a great game this week.”

Published on October 29, 2014 at 2:25 pm

Contact Phil: pmdabbra@syr.edu | @PhilDAbb