Rams backup QB Schaeffer eager to learn from reigning SIAC MVP Jennings

ALBANY — Stanley Jennings is confident Blaize Schaeffer will one day set records at Albany State.

If Schaeffer does, the backup quarterback knows who to credit.

“My game has changed just watching (Jennings),” said Schaeffer, a freshman from Fairburn. “I was doing everything slower, and everything was moving too fast. I was watching him and trying to mimic everything he does. He helps me with everything.”

Jennings, a senior, is the reigning SIAC MVP and has led the Rams to a 6-2 record this year while throwing for 1,841 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. But lurking in the shadow of the 6-foot-2, 250-pound starting quarterback is Schaeffer, who has had an entire summer and eight regular-season games to learn from Jennings.

WHO: Benedict (2-6, 1-4 SIAC) at Albany State (6-2, 4-1 SIAC)

WHAT: ASU Homecoming, sixth SIAC game of the season.

WHEN: 2 p.m. Saturday.

WHERE: Albany State Coliseum.

RADIO: 98.1 FM.

The two are similar quarterbacks, and not just because they are both 6-2 or because they both can be mobile in the pocket. They also both grew up Pompano Beach, Fla., and have formed an off-the-field friendship. Schaeffer, who says he “makes beats and plays the piano,” has even convinced Jennings to help him with his hobby of producing music.

“We have a pretty good bond,” Jennings said. “He works hard every day and gets better every day. He is going to be pretty good. I can’t wait to see what he is going to do next year.”

Schaeffer got a chance last Saturday against Clark Atlanta to get some snaps in crucial moments of the game — not because there is a quarterback controversy at Albany State, but because the Rams’ quarterback of the future hasn’t gotten many garbage-time reps with all of the close games ASU has played in this year.

Schaeffer, who is a graduate from Langston Hughes High School, played the final five minutes of Saturday’s one-possession game against the Panthers. He was 0-for-2 throwing the ball and ran twice for just four yards, but ASU offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Uyl Joyner said his freshman quarterback did a good job managing the clock.

“I was happy with how he played,” said Joyner, who added that Schaeffer could see more time this season in different situations. “I think it was good for him. Right now if something happened to Stanley and Blaize had to go in, he wouldn’t have had many reps. I thought this was a good time to get him in there.

“I keep telling Blaize that he is one snap away from being our quarterback. If anything happened to Stanley, I need to know he would be ready.”

Schaeffer had taken the occasional snap throughout the season, but Saturday was the first time he had the first-team offense under his control in a crucial part of the game. Needless to say, he was nervous in front of the 7,523 in attendance.

“I went in, and the nerves, of course were bubbling,” Schaeffer said. “Once I got in and handed the ball off a couple of times, I got comfortable with it. I started thinking that I had been doing this all my life.”

When he was under center Saturday, he said his thoughts also went to an important lesson Jennings has constantly been teaching him this season.

“He tells me every day that I have to be faster in every aspect of the game,” Schaeffer said. “I hear that a lot from him, so every time I get under center I am thinking it. He succeeded, so you gotta listen to him. I gotta try to be successful like ‘Stan the Man.’ “

Jennings and Joyner agreed that adjusting to the speed of the game is the biggest challenge for a freshman.

“He has to move faster than everybody else on the field,” Jennings said. “He has to think faster, move faster, react faster. That’s the biggest advice I have given him.”

And now that Schaeffer has adjusted to the faster pace of college football, Jennings said his protege has the makings of something special.

“He’s a pretty good size, though he needs to eat more meat,” laughed Jennings, who outweighs the 185-pound Schaeffer by 65 pounds. “He’s got pretty good speed. He can throw the ball great. He’s got everything it takes to make a good quarterback.”

Though Jennings felt restless on the sidelines during the closing minutes of the Clark Atlanta game, he said he understood why Schaeffer was on the field. In fact, getting Schaeffer some snaps has been in the back of Jennings’ mind all season.

“(Jennings) would walk off the sideline saying, ‘Man, that defense won’t let me score. I’m trying to get you on the field,’ ” Schaeffer said.

Jennings then added: “I want to blow teams out, so I can just chill on the sideline and wait for the next game and give (Schaeffer) some snaps.”

Langston Hughes started its varsity football program in 2009, and Schaeffer played quarterback for the Panthers for their first two years in existence. Because he had only played junior varsity ball before 2009 and Langston Hughes had little success during his junior and senior seasons, Schaeffer wasn’t heavily recruited.

However, Joyner said Schaeffer “jumped off the charts” when the Rams’ coaching staff saw his high school film.

“Blaize has a cannon,” Joyner said. “He has a strong arm, and he has what I call sneaky speed. You would look at him and think he’s not that fast. But he can turn it on and turn the corner before you know it.”

And the freshman can also play a mean keyboard solo.

“He brought that keyboard down with him and talks about how he makes beats,” Joyner said. “If we win it all this year, we might just let him produce a song for us.”

Looking Ahead

WHO: Benedict (2-6, 1-4 SIAC) at Albany State (6-2, 4-1 SIAC)

WHAT: ASU Homecoming, sixth SIAC game of the season.

WHEN: 2 p.m. Saturday.

WHERE: Albany State Coliseum.

RADIO: 98.1 FM.