When Minnesota scored at will in the first half against Texas Tech -- roaring to a 35-7 halftime lead -- it recalled the outrageous offensive displays against Indiana (63 points), Temple (62) and Kent State (44).

But when the Gophers became the victim of the biggest D-1 comeback in bowl history -- surrendering 31 unanswered points in the final 20 minutes of regulation as well as the losing touchdown in overtime -- it brought back memories of Minnesota's maddening inability to stop the pass virtually all year.

In the end, Minnesota's season of remarkable highs and appalling lows ended with a 6-7 record.

Somehow it's fitting that the Gophers head into the offseason being able to celebrate their school-record fifth consecutive bowl berth, yet also getting to fret about their first losing record since 2001.

That makes it difficult to file 2006 into either the success or failure file.

There were days at the Metrodome when some home fans chanted for Glen Mason's removal. But then there was one of the more improbable rallies to make a bowl as Minnesota beat Indiana, Michigan State and Iowa in the final three weeks to become bowl-eligible.

Minnesota loses a fistful of key seniors, including John Mackey Award winner Matt Spaeth and record-setting passer Bryan Cupito.

But it's not as though the cupboard is bare. Running back Amir Pinnix (1,272 yards, 10 TDs), wideout Ernie Wheelwright and tight end savant Jack Simmons give the offense a solid base, while defensive end Willie VandeSteeg (10 sacks) highlights a youthful defense that endured several injuries.

Senior QB Bryan Cupito shrugged recent poor performances by clicking on 22 of 33 passes for 378 yards and four touchdowns. Junior Ernie Wheelwright, who had underachieved to that point, caught touchdown passes of 64 and 37 yards.

The Gophers' opportunistic defense picked off three passes, including Dominique Barber's 45-yard return for a score to cap the rout.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: TE Matt Spaeth -- Hard to argue with the guy acknowledged by virtually everyone as the nation's best tight end. Spaeth, who played the final month with a severe shoulder separation, won the John Mackey Award and earned first-team All-American recognition from the Associated Press. He caught 47 passes for 564 yards and four touchdowns in 11 games. He missed the Insight Bowl after surgery to repair his shoulder.

FAST FORWARD: Minnesota will lose just 11 seniors from this year's crew, but seven of them were crucial contributors and will be missed. Most of those are on offense, where the biggest hole will be at quarterback. Three-year starter Bryan Cupito either set or tied virtually every passing record in the Minnesota book -- and he was an iron man in doing so.

That means whoever wins the job -- sophomore Tony Mortensen and true freshman Adam Weber are the primary candidates -- will learn on the fly along with a fistful of other new starters.

On the plus side, Minnesota's schedule lends itself to a team with such a project. The Gophers open with home games against an unidentified MAC team and Miami (Ohio) before heading to Florida Atlantic for their first road trip. They also get to open Big Ten play at home against Purdue.

The conference schedule as a whole shows Minnesota discarding Penn State and Michigan State while regaining Illinois and Northwestern.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "If I didn't think that a junior-college player could come in and legitimately compete for a starting role, I wouldn't bring him in." --Minnesota coach Glen mason told the St. Paul Pioneer Press in December, when the Gophers signed six Juco transfers.

He'll have some other weapons with him as senior wideout Ernie Wheelwright (17 career TDs) needs just one more touchdown to move to No. 2 in receiving touchdowns in Minnesota history. Tight end should continue to be a strength as Jack Simmons caught seven passes for 134 yards and one TD in the Insight Bowl.

Minnesota's defense could look significantly different next year as the Gophers try to escape the Big Ten's basement, but DE Willie VandeSteeg (10 sacks) figures to be a pillar. MLB Mike Sherels and DB Dominic Jones should lead their respective units.

PRO PROSPECTS: Minnesota had just 11 seniors on its roster, but the NFL paid attention to at least a few members of the group.

TE Matt Spaeth, presuming he proves his recent shoulder surgery was a success, looks like a first-day draft pick. Wideout Logan Payne, who caught 59 passes for 804 yards and nine TDs, could earn a late look or an invite to camp.

ORT Joe Ainslie (6-foot-7, 310 pounds) started 31 games in his career for one of the nation's most balanced offenses, which ought to count for something down the line.

ROSTER REPORT: OLB John Shevlin (foot) played little during the latter half of the season, but he should heal and likely return to the form that earned him starts in the season's first six games.

C Tony Brinkhaus fought through injuries during the latter half of the year, but missed just one game. A healthy Brinkhaus next fall would mean plenty to the Gophers.

Among Minnesota's fistful of redshirts, no arrival on the field is more highly anticipated than that of freshman quarterback Adam Weber. Ranked among the nation's finer prep quarterbacks in the Class of 2006, Weber figures to be the odds-on favorite to become Bryan Cupito's successor in the spring.