Hendricks Leads Boise State to Bowl Win

B O I S E, Idaho, Dec. 28 -- Bart Hendricks never had the chance to playagainst the nation’s more glamorous quarterbacks. Today,however, he proved he could be just as effective.

Hendricks ran for two touchdowns, threw for another and caught alate scoring pass as Boise State beat Texas-El Paso 38-23 in theHumanitarian Bowl.

Asked about his place in college football’s statisticalhierarchy, Hendricks credited his teammates and said he neverthinks of where he ranks against the likes of Josh Heupel, DrewBrees 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 57yards. The two-time player of the year in the Big West was selectedthe 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. Hisvoice broke when he was asked if he realized he had coached hislast game in Boise.

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

It also extended the Broncos’ homefield winning streak to 14games and marked the second straight year they won their hometownbowl game. Last year, Boise State beat Louisville 34-31.

‘Running Scared’

Hendricks gave the Broncos a 24-10 lead with a 77-yard TD run onBoise State’s first play from scrimmage in the second half. Itstarted as a keeper to the left, but Hendricks cut into open fieldand outraced two defenders.

“It’s called running scared,” Hendricks said. “You just keeprunning until you don’t have to run anymore.”

He also worked the clock in the closing minute of the first halfbefore scoring on a 12-yard run with 18 seconds left, giving theBroncos a 17-10 lead.

UTEP (8-4) was making its first bowl trip since 1988 and onlythe second since 1967. After winning a share of the WesternAthletic Conference title, the Miners looked out of place on thefrosty blue turf in Idaho.