MORE: Ten things you need to know about Purdue's 44-41 double-OT loss to Indiana |The 3-2-1: Purdue's loss to Indiana | Gold and Black Radio Express: A look at the Bucket Game | Final thoughts: Purdue's loss to Indiana

To get motivated before games this season, David Bell had something he would read.

“I read a little article before I came to Purdue that predicted I would only get about 35 catches, three touchdowns, 430 yards,” said Bell. “I read that before every game and went out and worked my hardest.”

It worked. With Rondale Moore out since the fourth game of the season with a hamstring injury, Bell emerged as the top target for Purdue (4-8 overall; 3-6 Big Ten). He had nine catches for 136 yards and a TD in today’s 44-41 double-overtime loss to Indiana. Bell finished 2019 with 86 receptions for 1,035 yards and seven TDs. He leads the nation’s freshmen in all three categories and paces the Big Ten in catches.

And today’s work included one of the most spectacular catches seen in Ross-Ade Stadium in years. In the second quarter, Bell slipped on his route, somehow regained his balance and then extended to make a stupefying catch for 29 yards. How did he do it?

“Honestly, I don’t even know myself how I caught it,” Bell said. “I was shocked. I saw the ball a little under thrown, and I knew the defensive back was coming back, too. I didn’t want to be the one who caused the interception, so I just came for the ball, and stuck my hands out and prayed to God to catch it.”

Bell later made a twisting 20-yard touchdown catch to tie the game with 2:48 remaining in regulation.

“I took a seven-step route, broke it in,” said Bell. “And Aidan (O’Connell) threw it to the outside where I adjusted my body and made the catch.”

Story continues below tweet

Bell wasn’t the lone Boiler who found outside motivation. Running back Zander Horvath did, too. The burly sophomore ran 23 times for 164 yards and two TDs (7.1 ypc) on this day. And his 48-yard run was Purdue's longest of the season. It was the first 100-yard rushing effort by a Boiler all season.

“I feel like it was more of a statement thing,” said Horvath. “Originally, I was going to IU, and I ended up coming to Purdue. So, that’s kind of a personal thing for me.

“I don’t know if we ended on good terms when I originally switched over. I was going (to Indiana) as a preferred walk-on linebacker. And (Purdue RB coach Chris) Barclay ended up sending me a message (to see) if I wanted to come here for running back.”

What did IU think when Horvath told them he was going to Purdue?

“I didn’t really hear back from them when I said it,” he said.

Horvath finished the season with 79 totes for 377 yards and two TDs.

Membership Info: Sign up for GoldandBlack.com now | Why join? | Questions?

Follow GoldandBlack.com: Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

More: Gold and Black Illustrated/Gold and Black Express | Subscribe to our podcast

Copyright, Boilers, Inc. 2019. All Rights Reserved. Reproducing or using editorial or graphical content, in whole or in part, without permission, is strictly prohibited.