Enos should take some blame for loss to Western


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Senior runningback Thomas Rawls is tackled to the ground by a Western Michigan University football player during the Chippewas

One of the most talked about and least executed standards in life is accountability.

Holding yourself and the people around you to an orthodox of honesty and truth can create a powerful atmosphere.

But in the wake of the Central Michigan University football team’s heart-wrenching loss to rival Western Michigan, this ideal was not displayed where it is the most needed.

At the top.

Head coach Dan Enos pinned CMU’s 32-20 loss at Kelly/Shorts Stadium in the regular season finale on his freshman punt returner.

Coleman muffed a punt that he thoughtlessly attempted to catch while he stood on his own 10-yard line with his team down by five points and plenty of time to put together the game-winning drive.

It was a rookie mistake.

But after the game, Enos decided not to question his own decision to put Coleman in that slot, but instead focus on the blunder of his inexperienced return man.

“I really thought the difference in the game was the fumbled punt,” he said after the game. “I thought we really had momentum. I thought we were ready to roll.”

Enos went on to say he felt bad for Coleman, whose blunder so obviously cost CMU a shot at a last-minute, come-from-behind win.

But his opinion seemed pretty clear to me at the beginning of the press conference: This was Coleman’s fault.

The men and women we all look up to accept culpability and explain why decisions were made.

Weeks ago, Enos abandoned the notion that wide receiver and undeniable biggest playmaker Titus Davis should receive punts.

What would have happened if it were Davis that was back there on Saturday afternoon? I’m pretty sure everyone can agree on the fact that Titus Davis can catch a football in a crucial moment.

Enos’ game management against WMU was poor. Electing to punt on fourth and short with momentum in his favor and the Broncos on the ropes is just one recent example.

CMU’s chief signal caller has always played it close to the chest, and either avoided or discredited criticism.

A mistake was made by someone on Saturday afternoon. There is no questioning that.

When Enos walks in and out of his office this week, he will not be able to glance at the Victory Cannon Trophy, which until last week sat right outside his door.

Instead, he should reflect on how and why it no longer sits there.

And of course, who is to blame?

 

 

 

 

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About Dominick Mastrangelo

Dominick Mastrangelo is the Editor in Chief of Central Michigan Life. Contact him at: editor@cm-life.com 

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