Always Next Year

Absolutely disgraceful.
Few words can describe the languid abomination that was Minnesota football Saturday night.
Then again, it's the Gophers. Performances like the 55-0 lashing to Iowa in the team's final game at the Metrodome have become as every bit part of the tradition as the chipmunk, called "Goldy Gopher," mascot.
The first half of the season was fun, riveting and successful.
The second: panic.
Coach Tim Brewster couldn't pull the parachute in time. As soon as the mist of uncertainty floated in through the open window and cloaked the team with fear, all was lost. The Adam Weber interception returned for the decisive touchdown in a loss to Northwestern acted as the trigger.
The Gophers stopped moving the ball, started making mistakes and ultimately took devastating hits in the loss column.
Four straight duds to end the season. And one painstakingly everlasting memory of the Dome.
Sharing a stadium with professional baseball and football stinks. The Gophers unleashed one more raspberry before the time-share terminated.
The opening of TCF Bank Stadium next year is the team's Eden, offering the chance to start over, the chance to form a new identity. With 19 starters expected to return next season, including a year the wiser Weber, the Gophers have a reason to believe that this time hope will seep into their lungs and fill them with confidence. If that doesn't work out. Well, there's always (the) next year.