One week ahead of their season opener, the Gophers football team took a trip to the Minnesota State Fair on Thursday.

“This is awesome,” head coach P.J. Fleck said. “This is one of their favorite days, one of my favorite days, because you’re out with the fans. You’re out with the state of Minnesota. When you get the whole state of Minnesota here, it feels like game day.”

The Gophers open the season at home against North Carolina on Thursday, August 29. The Tar Heels beat Minnesota 31-13 last season in Chapel Hill.

The Gophers went 6-7 last season but return playmakers like running back Darius Taylor and wide receiver Daniel Jackson. Both of those players have missed time during preseason workouts but Fleck hasn’t said whether or not they’ll in the season opener.

***Click the video box for interviews from PJ Fleck and Gophers players***