A solo trip to the final game of the Syracuse football season allowed me plenty of snapping time for interesting scenes.

Even though it was below freezing, some fans still dotted the reserved lots and tailgated for all they were worth as time wound down to the 12:30 p.m. kickoff vs. Wake Forest.

It was like a real game day, only I had the sidewalk to myself.

The Orange marching band’s percussion section entertained a couple hundred fans on the quad.

The whole band took to the steps to entertain the winter-garb-wearing crowd. What a scene.

The crane SU students have named Walter continues its work putting up the structure for the new roof that will be in place before next football season.

Syracuse officials listed attendance at 33,719. At kickoff, I had it pegged at half that number. Having attended games in the Carrier Dome since 1983, I consider myself a pretty good judge.

With the score tied 20-20, part of the Orange band came up top to stir things up.

It worked. Syracuse won 39-30 in overtime to finish the season at 5-7, once win short of what’s needed to earn a bowl berth.

That’s disappointing, weighed against last year’s 10-win triumphant rebirth.

As the bowl season goes on without the Orange, the behind-the-scenes efforts of coach Dino Babers and his staff will shape the future.

This community won’t readily accept another backslide, that I know.