Purdue Football Wins Big Ten Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week Awards

We’ve said it all year long and now the Big Ten conference is recognizing it. Purdue WR David Bell is one of the best in the game. This week he was awarded the Big Ten’s offensive player of the week award. This is the second time Bell has won this award. He previously won on Oct. 26, 2020 nearly one year ago. Bell torched the stout Iowa secondary for 240 yards. Here’s the release info from the conference.

Hauled in 11 receptions for a career-high 240 yards (21.8 avg.) and a touchdown in Purdue’s 24-7 road win over then-No. 2 Iowa

His 240 receiving yards marked the second-highest single-game total in team history behind only Chris Daniels’ 301 yards vs. Michigan State in 1999. Additionally, the 240 receiving yards are the second most by a FBS player in a single game this season, trailing only Texas’ Xavier Worthy (261 vs. Oklahoma on Oct. 9)

Eclipsed the 200-yard mark for the first time in his career and has registered at least 100 receiving yards in 14 of his 23 career games. Moved into fifth place all-time in Purdue history in career receiving yards (2,339), eighth in career receiving touchdowns (19) and ninth in career receptions (177)

Earns the second Offensive Player of the Week accolade of his career; was also named Freshman of the Week four times in 2019

Last Purdue Offensive Player of the Week: David Bell (Oct. 26, 2020)

The Purdue defense dominated Iowa from start to finish on Saturday while only giving up 7 points to the #2 ranked team in the country. One of the big reasons for that was the play of the Purdue secondary and specifically safety Cam Allen. Allen was able to grab two interceptions on the day with both coming in the crucial fourth quarter ending any chance of an Iowa comeback. This is Allen’s first such award. From the conference.

Snagged two interceptions in the fourth quarter to help seal a 24-7 road win over then-No. 2 Iowa. Also added four tackles (two solo) in the win

Became the first Boilermaker to register two interceptions in a game since Cory Trice on Oct. 12, 2019. Is just the 11th Purdue defender to record a multi-interception game since 2000

Led a secondary that limited the Hawkeyes to 195 yards passing on 32 attempts (6.1 yards per attempt) and just 271 yards of total offense. The Boilermakers defense held Iowa to just 1-for-5 in the red zone

Earns the first Defensive Player of the Week honor of his career

Last Purdue Defensive Player of the Week: Markus Bailey (Oct. 22, 2018)

It’s always great to see Purdue players get their due in a national spotlight. Anytime you can knock off the #2 team in the country someone is going to notice you. Now with these awards and the program’s first Top 25 rating since 2007 Purdue must savor it for about a day and then start locking in for what will surely be a tough game against Wisconsin. Congrats to both Allen and Bell.