Paul Chryst isn’t one to show or share too much emotion when he’s talking with reporters. But earlier this week, the Wisconsin head coach couldn’t help but be excited when student-athletes began returning to campus.

Chryst met with reporters during a Zoom meeting on Friday. While the Badgers leader understands there’s still a lot of uncertainty surrounding the upcoming college football season, he still says it’s great to have players back in Madison.

“There’s a lot that we don’t know,” Chryst told reporters, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “But what we do know, especially this week, has been awesome. Players back in town, working out and freshmen reporting.

“Our goal right now is to continue to do everything we can to take advantage of the time we have and also to kind of work through these different phases, with the ultimate goal being able to play. Certainly, there are a lot of things out of our control. And as everyone knows there is uncertainty…But I’ve appreciated what our coaches and players have done in hopes of being able to play the season.”

Wisconsin is one of several schools that has opened its doors to student-athletes. With the NCAA lifting its moratorium on organized team activities on June 1, campuses have opened up for players, coaches and staff with COVID-19 protocols and guidelines in place.

The NCAA has also approved a six-week plan that will allow teams to begin preparing for the upcoming season.

Wisconsin is currently scheduled to open the 2020 season against Indiana on Friday, Sept. 4.