With the season winding down and bowl eligibility gone, Syracuse head coach Scott Shafer is looking to the team’s youth.

The Orange (3-7, 1-5 Atlantic Coast) has two games remaining, starting with Pittsburgh (4-6, 2-4) on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Heinz Field. In those contests, Shafer is looking to see the younger players on his team further tested in a game environment as they try to send SU’s seniors off with some wins, he said on his weekly Tuesday teleconference.

Shafer said he is particularly looking to his quarterbacks and offensive line as places where less experienced players are likely to feature.

“I think any time you get a chance to find a lot out about young quarterbacks, it’s a good thing,” Shafer said.

Freshman quarterback AJ Long was limited in the bye week after missing SU’s 27-10 loss to Duke on Nov. 8 with a nerve issue in his arm but he, along with sophomores Austin Wilson and Mitch Kimble were set to practice Tuesday, Shafer said.

Shafer also said some previously injured offensive linemen have a chance of returning in some capacity this week, but that they would be limited in practice.

Right guard Nick Robinson and offensive tackle Michael Lasker joined already-sidelined right tackle Ivan Foy in missing the Duke game. Jason Emerich took the majority of snaps at center with regular starter John Miller injured. Sophomore guard Alex Hayes debuted at right guard due to Robinson and Lasker’s injuries.

Left tackle Sean Hickey and left guard Rob Trudo have also been fighting through injuries this season.

Said Shafer: “So you’ll still see an opportunity to watch the kids practice that haven’t played a ton of football up front, which is always big.”

Published on November 18, 2014 at 1:20 pm

Contact Jacob: jmklinge@syr.edu | @Jacob_Klinger_