SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — It’s a welcome party for the ages for Buckeye fans all across the country.

  • Fans gathered at Bottled Blonde in downtown Scottsdale to celebrate ahead of Saturday’s match-up
  • Many Buckeye fans traveled for the game and locals say they aren’t surprised
  • Former OSU quarterbacks Braxton Miller and Joe Germaine made an appearance to get the fans hyped up.

The Buckeye Bash is something people look forward to every year the Buckeyes come to the Fiesta Bowl.

And it sure got fans in the mood to cheer on their team this Saturday.

That was the hope of the Alumni Club of Phoenix, the organizers of the event.

“Ohio State fans are so loyal and we love our culture and we love our college so much that we really want to make an environment for the fans that they feel welcome, they have fun when they come out to Phoenix for the big game,” said Courtney Angelo, Alumni Club of Phoenix president.

Although there’s a big Ohio State fan base in Phoenix, a lot of them traveled too.

But that’s no surprise —because Buckeye fans seem to travel everywhere because of their dedication to the game.

“We just live our lives for these 18- to 22-year-olds every Saturday afternoon. We just live and die football,“ said Dave Hocevar, OSU alum.

But the celebrating wasn’t done yet.

Two Buckeye legends —Braxton Miller and Joe Germaine —made a surprise appearance.

“It matches what you’re doing at the university…the love that people still have for you, for the hard work that you put on the field and for the university. It means a lot. That’s all you look for, people that love you for who you are,” said Miller, former Ohio State quarterback.

“It feels great. It’s been a long time since I came through there, a different era,” said Germaine, former Ohio State quarterback. “I’m here with Braxton Miller, who maybe is a little bit more relevant because he did it a lot soonier. But there’s nothing like the Buckeye fans and just the tradition of Ohio State football. It’s an honor for me to just be a real, real, real small part of that.”

For graduates, former players and fans alike, this week is all about the Buckeyes coming out on top.

Even more Buckeyes will be packing this bar on Friday night as a big pep rally will take place for all the Buckeye fans in the area.