ODU QB, 17, is second youngest to get start

Steven Williams is a 17-year-old freshman at Old Dominion. Today, he will start at quarterback against No. 13 Virginia Tech, making him the second-youngest player to start at the position in major college football history.

“I approach it like any other quarterback would: Just take on a role and do what you’re supposed to, and everybody will follow,” said Williams, a graduate of Wilson High in Washington, said in a telephone interview following Thursday morning’s practice. “As of now, everyone looks at me as the quarterback, knowing I can get the job done. They don’t look at my age.”

Only David Walker, who was 17 years, 9 months when he first started for Texas A&M in 1973, was younger.

HOLY GRAIL GAME: The 87th edition of the St. John’s-St. Thomas game will be played today at Target Field, and more than 35,000 tickets have been sold. With the Twins making their push for the baseball playoffs this weekend on the road, the Johnnies and the Tommies will take their place for an afternoon and more than double the previous NCAA Division III attendance record in the process. STATE SCHOOLS: In Las Vegas, N.M., New Mexico Highlands (2-1, 1-1 RMAC) takes on the challenge of a noon home game against Division II’s 19th-ranked CSU-Pueblo (2-1, 2-0).

… It’s Homecoming in Silver City for Western New Mexico, which hosts UT Permian Basin today at 1:30 in a pairing of 0-3, 0-1 Lone Star Conference teams.

… Eastern New Mexico (2-1, 1-1 Lone Star) hosts Angelo State (2-1, 0-1) tonight at 7 in Portales.

Friday night

VIRGINIA 42, BOISE STATE 23: In Boise, Idaho, Kurt Benkert threw for 273 yards and three touchdowns to lead Virginia past Boise State in the Broncos’ worst home loss since 2001.

Virginia (3-1) notched its first win west of the Mississippi River since 1991. In avenging an embarrassing 56-14 loss to Boise State in 2015, the Cavaliers also surpassed their win total from last season.

Boise State (2-2) hasn’t suffered a double-digit loss at home in 16 years.