By Patrick DorseyThe Daily Northwestern

It’s over.

After five grueling months and 12 tumultuous games, Year 1 of the post-Randy Walker era has ended.

The first year received an OK sendoff, too, with Northwestern sloppily beating Illinois 27-16 on Saturday, the Wildcats’ first win to end a season since 1998 – and a nice way to close perhaps the toughest season in recent NU history.

But, as was asked in NU’s postgame press conference, did it bring any closure? Did winning their last game prove the Cats have overcome Walker’s tragic death?

Players and coach Pat Fitzgerald offered their answers, which were mixed between yeses and nos, some being definite and others ambiguous.

But here’s my answer: Not even close.

Four wins and eight losses was a bad year, but not wholly unexpected. Still, it’s not what Walker built this program to be. He made it so much more.

Walker made this program consistent, so students who saw the clock tower shining purple wouldn’t automatically assume it was malfunctioning.

And he set the foundation for the future.

That foundation was shaken this year – mostly by his death, but also by injuries, by some sub-par performances and by a collection of coaches who spent most of the year trying to figure out what they were doing.

That’s why NU posted that sub-standard 4-8 record, and that’s why there’s a lot of pessimism circling a program and a coach that insisted all season they just needed to “stick with the plan” and “stay the course.”

But some necessary pragmatism finally shone through with Fitzgerald, who said some of his most encouraging words of the season Saturday:

“We obviously have a long way to go,” he said. “We are no (way), shape or form where this program expects to be … And we need to get to work right away.”

Fitzgerald went on to insist that next year starts today, and that his team will begin its offseason program as soon as possible.

And that’s of the utmost importance. Yes, he’ll be only 32 by then, but next is a make-or-break year for Fitzgerald and the program.

The Cats bring back 18 of 22 from Saturday’s starting lineup. They have an unbelievably easy non-conference schedule. They avoid facing Penn State and Wisconsin in Big Ten play.

Unless major injury issues strike, anything less than six wins would be unacceptable.

Heck, even eight wins isn’t out of the question when you consider the recent struggles of some of the Big Ten’s formerly strong programs.

Sure, all of that is months away, when seniors like me will be in some far-off place, hoping our local cable companies pick up ESPN360.

But, just like in life, looking toward the future is far better than dwelling on the past.

This year was a season filled with struggles and what-ifs. It seemed to reaffirm all those beliefs that NU is a loser school, and always will be.

But this season is over. And if a pessimist like me can look at this team with such optimism, anyone can.

Because as long as Fitzgerald and the rest keep their heads on straight, there will be that day in late December or early January, where the Cats drive their bus into town and are greeted with the wonderful pageantry of a bowl game.

Then – and only then – will there be closure.

Football editor Patrick Dorsey is a Medill senior. He can be reached at [email protected].