“The blink of an eye.” That’s how fast it’s gone for linebacker Steve Davis .

“I’m already a senior and this is the last game I’m about to play at the University of Minnesota. It’s kind of exciting and sad for me at the same time.”

That mix of emotions has been talked about a lot this week. The Gophers’ seniors expect Saturday to be “bittersweet” and an “emotional day” when they play their final regular season game against Iowa.

But there’s a word that keeps popping up that trumps all the others. One that would make the game a little less sad and a whole lot more exciting: “win.”

And not just because it would be nice to end their football careers with a victory. No, this game is chock full of meaning for the seniors.

Start with this: while at Minnesota, they’ve never won eight games in the regular season; a win against the Hawkeyes on Saturday would put them at 8-4. The seniors had a shot at 8-4 in the 2005 season finale, their freshman year. The opponent? Iowa. The result? A 52-28 loss in Iowa City. Any question the Gophers want to pay the Hawkeyes back for that?

Then there’s the prized pig, Floyd of Rosedale. The seniors have hoisted that rivalry trophy only once, when they closed out 2006 with a 34-24 win over Iowa at the Metrodome. In fact, that’s the last time Minnesota has hoisted any of the four rivalry trophies they play for.

Senior defensive end Willie VanDeSteeg put it best: “I’d love to see the pig again.”

He’d also love to be around to see second year head coach Tim Brewster win his first trophy game.

“As a senior, I want to get that done for him so he has a memory about that.”

Of course, the game has meaning for essentially everyone connected to Gophers football. There are bowl game implications and the fact that Saturday will be the last game Minnesota plays in the Metrodome.

But on Senior Night, it’s safe to say the game will mean the most to those suiting up to play in front of a home crowd for the final time.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our seniors,” Brewster said. “I feel good about the way they’re going out.”

They’re going out with two things: a winning record and a bowl game. That’s a far cry from how the seniors went out last year, and VanDeSteeg isn’t forgetting it.

He said he remembers the leadership and the positive attitude the 2007 seniors maintained during a 1-11 season; he also recalls how the team stepped up in their final career game against Wisconsin. He hopes this year the younger players do the same.

“You gotta tell everybody, ‘this is my last game and I want you guys to play your hardest,’ ” VanDeSteeg said.

But then again, he doesn’t think that line needs too much repeating.

“You’ve got a lot riding on this game,” VanDeSteeg said. “If you can’t get ready to play for this one, you’re going to be in some trouble.”