By James Parziale

Surely Bobby Seck did not mind letting his sister, Pamela, call one of the plays near the end of the Pride football team’s victory on Saturday.

“We’re taking him out for a steak dinner,” said Pamela, one of nearly 25 family members on hand to cheer the Pride’s starting quarterback.

After all, Bobby had no time to decide on a post-game meal during the Pride’s 62-43 victory over the University of Rhode Island.

He was too busy rewriting record books.

The 5,180 on hand at James M. Shuart Stadium saw the Pride (2-1) win its first conference game and Seck lead an offensive display that shattered a slue of team and individual records.

Single-game marks for combined points (105) and yards (1,206) were eclipsed while Seck garnered Atlantic 10 Player of the Week honors by completing 30 of 43 passes for 560 yards. His eight touchdown passes broke Rocky Butler’s school record of seven set in 2000 and tied Tom Ehrhardt’s A-10 record from 1985. Seck’s passing yardage was a career-high and fell six yards short of the A-10’s single-game record. Seck also received I-AA Player of the Week Honors from The Sports Network.

“As an offense we were put in position to make great plays by our offensive coordinator, Warren Ruggerio,” Seck said. “The game plan was tremendous.”

Despite his humility, Seck can’t deny that he ignites the offense. His 13 passing-touchdowns is second in the nation and are three shy of the Pride’s total from last season. The offense is first in the A-10 in points per game (43.3), pass offense (453.3) and total offense (523.7). The Pride has scored 120 points through three games, a total not reached until week six last season. After playing in just four games last year, Seck’s presence this year is obvious.

“Bobby had a superior game,” coach Joe Gardi said. “All the receivers stood out and made great plays. If Bobby stays healthy we are going to score points.”

Seck, who leads the nation in total offense per game (421 yards) and is third in passing efficiency (180.1), makes the entire offense better. His rapport with receivers Isaac Irby, Brian Wolman, Devale Ellis and Charles Sullivan fuels the offense.

“The receivers and I were on the same page and that makes it a lot easier for me,” Seck said.

After his final touchdown to Irby (four receptions for 104 yards) with 6:23 remaining closed the scoring, Seck left the game after taking a helmet to his right knee. The knee, which he dislocated last season, was just bruised, Seck said.

With that, Seck lost his chance at an A-10 record ninth touchdown pass, an opportunity he claimed he wasn’t aware of at the time of his exit against the Rams (2-1, 0-1).

“I didn’t know how many [touchdowns] I had but I knew we were playing really well,” Seck said modestly.

His coach claims he too was unaware of Seck’s flirtation with history, saying the decision to put back-up quarterback Anton Clarkson into the game came before Seck was injured.

Despite the offensive fireworks, there is still cause for concern. Looking worn afterward, Gardi stated that the game was coach’s nightmare because the defense spent 37 minutes on the field – the second consecutive game it has been forced to work over 35 minutes.

“It was absolutely not a fun game to coach. We gave up too many big plays,” Gardi said of a defense that allowed 610 yards, three rushing touchdowns and 11 plays that went for 15-or-more yards.

The defense was often on the field because Seck engineered a quick-strike offense that needed fewer than five plays on seven of nine scoring drives. The Pride led 28-17 at the end of the first quarter and each starting receiver had one touchdown. By game’s end Sullivan (12 for 213 yards), Ellis (seven for 115) and Wolman (five for 117) each had career-highs in receptions and yards.

Even center Patrick O’Brien joined the box score when he saved the Pride from a potential disaster. The senior recovered running back Terry Crenshaw’s fumble at the 1-yard line in the end zone for his first career touchdown, putting the Pride up 41-29 with 1:30 remaining before halftime.

“I was thinking about it,” O’Brien said after the game when asked if wanted to spike the ball. “But I didn’t want to get the offense in trouble with a personal foul [penalty].”

Seck, however, said his favorite touchdown came on a “Psycho Screen” to Ellis with 12:55 left in the third quarter. The Rams rushed seven defenders and Seck quickly tossed to Ellis, who, 55 yards later, celebrated his third touchdown catch of the game and a 55-36 lead. No doubt, it was all very enjoyable.

“How can you not have fun scoring this many points?” O’Brien said. “The only thing that can stop us is ourselves. Otherwise I don’t think we can be stopped.”

Junior quarterback Bobby Seck, though helped by his teammates, stood out in the Pride´s vitory over Rhode Island. Seck completed 30 of 43 passes for 560 yards and eight touchdowns. (Staff Photo)