Hendricks Shows He Belongs

Bart Hendricks never had the chance to play against the nation’s more glamorous quarterbacks. On Thursday, however, he proved he could be just as effective.

Hendricks ran for two touchdowns, threw for another and caught a late scoring pass as Boise State defeated Texas El Paso, 38-23, in the Humanitarian Bowl.

Asked about his place in college football’s statistical hierarchy, Hendricks credited his teammates and said he never thinks of where he ranks against the likes of Josh Heupel, Drew Brees or Chris Weinke.

“That would be nice to be compared to those guys,” he said. “But it’s all the other players who make it happen.”

Hendricks was 17 of 29 for 247 yards and ran for another 57 yards. The two-time Big West Conference player of the year was selected the game’s most valuable player for the Broncos (10-2).

It was a rousing send-off for Boise State Coach Dirk Koetter, working in his last game before taking over at Arizona State. His voice broke when he was asked if he realized he had coached his last game in Boise.

“It’s hit me right between the eyes,” Koetter said.

It also extended the Broncos’ home-field winning streak to 14 games and marked the second consecutive year they won their hometown bowl game. Last year, Boise State defeated Louisville, 34-31.

UTEP (8-4) was making its first bowl trip since 1988 and only the second since 1967. the Miners looked out of place on the frosty blue turf in Idaho and several backfield communication problems.

“A lot of our miscommunication was a direct correlation of the crowd noise,” UTEP Coach Gary Nord said. “It’s a great atmosphere here.”