Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck met with the media for the final time before the team’s season opening contest against New Mexico State on Thursday.

Sunday, Fleck met with the media to answer questions about a variety of topics, but some of the more interesting responses came when the Gophers head coach was asked about the number of freshmen that will play on Thursday night.

“You can ask me about a lot of freshmen and I can tell you they are going to play,” Fleck said. We don’t have another option. Most of our depth is filled with freshmen.”

Fleck has done an excellent job on the recruiting trail in his first two seasons at Minnesota and is starting to get his players to fill important roles with the team.

Along with the question about freshmen, Fleck was asked about the expectations for true freshman walk-on Zack Annexstad, who will be the starter for the Gophers this week.

“We just want to be better as a whole. Offense, defense and special teams,” Fleck said. “We are not putting this on one guy.”

Minnesota kicks off the season Thursday night, hosting New Mexico State. The Aggies dropped their season opener to Wyoming on Saturday.