Notre Dame fans attend pep rally at Purcell Pavilion

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Friday night, fans from all over went to the Purcell Pavilion for a pep rally to get excited for Saturday's Notre Dame game against Michigan State.

The second home game of the season is shaping up to be a tough one.

Nine of the last thirteen matchups between the Spartans and the Irish have been won by a touchdown or less.

And football fans are anticipating Saturday will be another nail biter.
 
"I think it's going to be a good game. I think it's going to be a really good game and I think Notre Dame will win," said Diane Lyons, Irish fan from Virginia.
 
"I think it's going to be a tough game. Michigan State always plays the Irish tough and the Irish I do think will win," said Father Edward Anderson, Notre Dame alum.
 
Regardless of Saturday's outcome, Irish fans from all over say their favorite part of the trip to South Bend is the game day atmosphere.
 
"The spirit. The spirit of the university and just stepping on campus," said Lyons.
 
"It's electric. It's very positive, the people are enthusiastic and everybody just enjoys being here with each other, all the fans," said Anderson.
 
Two lifelong fans from South Dakota say they are happy to make the ten-hour drive to see their team. They do it every season.
 
"We pick a weekend just about every year and we just make the jaunt. It's about 700 miles and we have a great time," said Curtis Dunn, Irish fan from South Dakota.