Purdue star wide receiver David Bell officially declared for the NFL draft on Wednesday, making the announcement on Twitter. That doesn’t really surprise anyone nor does if affect Notre Dame in 2022 but with Bell in the news perhaps it’s a good time go look back at one of the best defensive performances Notre Dame put up this season.
When Notre Dame welcomed Purdue to South Bend in September both teams were 2-0 although the Irish had just snuck by both Florida State and Toledo. Purdue would go on to finish the year 8-4 and earn a spot in the Music City Bowl where they’ll take on Tennessee.
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Notre Dame did something that day that only Wisconsin did against Purdue in 2021, however.
Hold David Bell under 70 receiving yards.
Bell finished the day with seven receptions for 64 yards against Notre Dame on a day that saw him exit the game late in the fourth quarter after being a hit from Kyle Hamilton.
The good news for Bell is that despite that hit and scary scene, he was able to bounce back and play a huge role in multiple Purdue upsets this fall. At then-No. 2 Iowa he hauled in 11 receptions for 240 yards in a victory while Purdue’s upset of No. 4 Michigan State in November saw Bell go off for 11 receptions and 217 more yards.
In all, Bell pulled in 93 receptions for 1,286 yards and six touchdowns this season. Yes he did get hurt late in the contest but perhaps Notre Dame deserves a bit of credit for limiting him to just 64 yards that September afternoon, as he went over 100 yards seven times alone this season.
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Best photos from Notre Dame’s 27-13 win over Purdue
Best photos from Marcus Freeman’s introductory press conference