Dan Enos, Ryan Radcliff feel vindicated after getting first big win

IOWA CITY — Ryan Radcliff has been the starting quarterback for every game Dan Enos has been the head coach at Central Michigan.

The two have been through two difficult 3-9 seasons together, and have taken heavy scrutiny for it.

But on Saturday, the two had the biggest victory of their CMU careers, beating Iowa 32-31.

“I’m ecstatic,” he said. “A lot of hard work is paying off and I’m not talking just this year, I’m talking all the years in the past, coming off a couple of 3-9 seasons. It means a lot getting this one.”

The smile that beamed across Radcliff’s face showed it. He did not have to defend his team after a loss, or explain how the team will bounce back the following week. He was laid back, relaxed and overjoyed.

“Did you see that time I was stumbling and bumbling,” Radcliff joked and imitated himself tripping on a scramble – poking fun at himself.

Before Saturday, Enos and Radcliff had seven wins together. Those victories came against: Hampton, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan, South Carolina State, Northern Illinois, Akron and Southeast Missouri State. It was the coach-quarterback combination’s first win against a BCS opponent (1-6) and third road win (3-12).

Enos still had a serious look on his face during his post-game interview, but his words expressed his happiness and relief.

At first, the third-year coach explained how happy he was for the players, because of all the hard work they put in that people don’t see. Then, he was asked how he felt after two 3-9 seasons.

“It means a lot,” he said. “People in the walls know what we’ve done and are going through. They know we are doing things the right way and building. We are not by any means a finished product yet, we have long season to go. It was a great stepping stone, great win for our team and program. But we have all of conference play left and a tough road game next week.”

Radcliff and Enos were both quick to point out that they have a tough game next week, and the season is young. But their relief was obvious – Radcliff even said how happy he is for his parents to enjoy the victory with how much they have invested in the team by going to all of the games.

The two know there are nine game remaining, but they finally feel like their hard work is paying off.

“We know what we are doing,” Enos said. “We have a plan, a vision and we will stick to it. We’ll continue to stay very resilient.”