Gallery: Syracuse closes season against Minnesota in the Texas Bowl

Fans begin to fill the stands at Reliant Stadium. Ziniu Chen | Staff Photographer

Syracuse's special teams unit prepares to take the field for warm-ups. Ziniu Chen | Staff Photographer

Young fans pose for a picture on the field, more than 1,500 miles away from Syracuse. Ziniu Chen | Staff Photographer

A member of the SU marching band waits to begin a routine. Ziniu Chen | Staff Photographer

The Orange takes the field prior to kickoff. Ziniu Chen | Staff Photographer

Goldy Gopher leads the Gophers out of the tunnel. Ziniu Chen | Staff Photographer

Dyshawn Davis prepares for kickoff. Ziniu Chen | Staff Photographer

Jerome Smith stiff arms a defender while bouncing outside. Ziniu Chen | Staff Photographer

Dyshawn Davis flattens quarterback Philip Nelson. / The Daily Orange

Syracuse defensive line coach Tim Daoust talks with nose tackle Eric Crume. Ziniu Chen | Staff Photographer

Charley Loeb runs short of a first down on a fake field goal attempt. Ziniu Chen | Staff Photographer

Terrel Hunt extends the play after a fake handoff. Ziniu Chen | Staff Photographer

Ashton Broyld follows his blocker to the outside. Ziniu Chen | Staff Photographer

Rob Trudo is helped off the field after suffering an injury. Ziniu Chen | Staff Photographer

Hunt lunges forward for his first of two rushing touchdowns. Ziniu Chen | Staff Photographer

Brisly Estime breaks free during his game-changing punt return. Ziniu Chen | Staff Photographer

Robert Welsh closes in on Mitch Leidner in the backfield. Ziniu Chen | Staff Photographer

Prince-Tyson Gulley prepares to take on Minnesota's Martez Shabazz. Ziniu Chen | Staff Photographer

Hunt coasts in for the winning score in SU's 21-17 Texas Bowl victory over Minnesota. Ziniu Chen | Staff Photographer

Fans and teammates mob Hunt behind the end zone following his game-winning touchdown run. Ziniu Chen | Staff Photographer

Syracuse celebrates following its victory over Minnesota in the Texas Bowl. Ziniu Chen | Staff Photographer

As one, Syracuse lifts the Texas Bowl trophy at midfield. Ziniu Chen | Staff Photographer

Syracuse University formally inaugurates Mike Haynie as 13th chancellor