"It's one of those things where I've had only one or two balls caught on me," Hodgkiss said. "They challenged me at the first of the year (against Arizona and UCLA) and I had a couple of knock-downs. Then I kind of disappeared. At Tulsa, I didn't get a ball thrown on me, as many passes as were thrown. Against Air Force and UNLV, I didn't really get a ball come my way. It just kind of happens that way. I don't necessarily think they're shying away from me, but I am playing well and I feel confident that in these last five games I'll continue to play well."

The rest of the BYU secondary is happy to see Hodgkiss finally receive some recognition.

"It was good to see Corby get (an interception return for a touchdown). It was his turn. He's made so many plays this year, but that was a big one," said cornerback Kayle Buchanan. "Corby deserves it. He's worked hard and prepared hard. Anyone who has worked as hard as he has deserves some credit."

Buchanan added that he was never concerned about how Hodgkiss would play after Gabriel and Tafuna were lost for the season.

"In hindsight, it's especially easy to say, but being perfectly honest, there was never a worry with Corby," he said. "He had started before, and he had played a lot before. He has a good feel for the game, and he knows his assignment. He plays big. No worries. None at all."

It's ironic, though, that the largely unknown Hodgkiss wears No. 14, one of the most decorated and prestigious numbers in school history. More ironic still, BYU retired No. 14 — belonging to quarterback legends Gifford Nielsen and Ty Detmer — during the season-opening victory against Arizona.

Hodgkiss will go down as the last Cougar to wear that number.

"It's an honor," he said. "(Nielsen and Detmer) are amazing. They've had a lot better careers than I've had here. I hope this year, my senior year, I'm able to wear it and honor them and play well. It's kind of been an extra motivation to me as I step onto the field every Saturday."

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E-mail: jeffc@desnews.com