Pope-less Notre Dame defeats UMass 62-27
South Bend, Indiana
The University of Notre Dame bested the University of Massachusetts despite an apparent communication miscue with the Papal travel team.
Many thought the visiting Pope would take this unique opportunity to participate but the two sides weren't able to establish contact.
Notre Dame Brian Kelly said after the game, " We were ready for him. When the Pope is here you have to expect that he might want to start at quarterback. The Athletic Director's office took care of all the transfer paperwork with the NCAA and the College of Cardinals but we didn't hear anything from his Holiness's people. We were going to bring him in, coach him up a bit, and we were even going to give him an overview of a practice or two on our scissorlift weather permitting. "
Pope Francis's communication director said that they just simply didn't get a call. "He was ready on game day. He got taped up, had watched some film, and even had a miter with a chinstrap but then nothing" Asked about the Holy Father's familiarity with the American game the communication director said, "Well he knows a lot about fütbol but he went to a higher source. God told him that it really wasn't that complicated. Even Brady Quinn can pull it off... at that level. God also was a bit confused at the beginning. He thought the Pope said 'Nickelback' and God made it clear that he thinks Nickelback sucks. "