Notre Dame pep rally and block party in Scottsdale, AZ

 The Notre Dame Alumni Club of Phoenix got things started off Friday night for Saturday's match-up with the Arizona State Sun Devils with a block party in downtown Scottsdale, Arizona.

For any Fighting Irish fan, Craftsman Court in Old Town Scottsdale was the place to be Friday night.

There were cheerleaders, the leprechaun and a few former Irish legends.

Speakers at the pep rally and block party included former Irish great Reggie Brooks along with Arizona Cardinals tight ends John Carlson and Troy Niklas who both played for Notre Dame.

One family from South Bend that made the trip to Arizona said that what makes Friday night's event so great was meeting other Irish fans who came from all over the country for Saturday's game.

“It's been great, it's like a family atmosphere. It's been really nice, I mean, we were meeting all kinds of people from Arizona, from South Dakota. I mean anywhere. The Notre Dame Nation is everywhere,” said Justin Hoskins, a Fighting Irish fan from South Bend, Ind.

The festivities also boasted live bands that played all night at Rockbar.

With hundreds out supporting the Irish at the pep rally, fans say they hope it is a sign that even more green, blue and gold will fill up Sun Devil Stadium Saturday afternoon.

“We will bring home a decisive win this week, a decisive win. We're not going to let any flags get in our way this time,” said Tricia Ford, another Fighting Irish fan from South Bend.

The kickoff for the Notre Dame vs Arizona State game is set for Saturday at 3:30 p.m. with the Kickoff Countdown beginning at 2:00 p.m. on ABC 57.