STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Quinndary Weatherspoon scored 22 points, Tyson Carter added 17 points and Mississippi State held off Norfolk State 78-74 on Friday.Mississippi State freshman Mario Kegler made two free throws with 6.6 seconds left to ice it.Im glad we got the win, first and foremost, said Mississippi State coach Ben Howland. I thought we had a really difficult time guarding the dribble tonight and they got to the line 19 times in the first half. So weve got to learn to pressure the ball without getting beat.In the second half, we did move better and pushed their offense out further. But we played like the inexperienced team that we are. Our experienced guys -- I.J. Ready and Q (Weatherspoon) did a nice job of leading us back.In the season opener for both teams, Mississippi States Ready and Aric Holman had 14 and 11 points, respectively. Holman notched his first career double-double with 11 rebounds and also had five blocked shots.Weatherspoon was 9 of 16 from the floor but was not on the floor in the closing minutes due to cramps. Carter made 5 of 7 3-pointers and played a team-high 33 minutes.I just cramped up late and Ive just got to drink more water before the game, said Weatherspoon. I was nervous because I knew I couldnt come out there and help my teammates. But I was glad they got the win.Zaynah Robinson had 21 points to lead Norfolk State while Jonathan Wade scored 18 points.It was a hard-fought game and we hurt ourselves with a couple of questionable plays, said Norfolk State coach Robert Jones. We have a young team just like Mississippi State does but I am proud of my guys. I hope to bottle up that energy the rest of the year.Mississippi State was hampered by foul trouble in the first half with Eli Wright and Mario Kegler each having three fouls. But Norfolk State couldnt take advantage as they went 10 of 19 at the free-throw line.BIG PICTURENorfolk State: The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference members fell to 1-8 all-time against SEC schools.Mississippi State: The Bulldogs played six true freshmen and they combined for 31 points.UP NEXTNorfolk State: The Spartans return to action on Sunday and host Shenandoah in their home opener.Mississippi State: The Bulldogs travels to Charleston, South Carolina for the Charleston Classic. They play on Thursday against Central Florida. Wholesale Vans Shoes Online . -- Ohio States Urban Meyer has never had any issue acclimating to the biggest stages in college football. Cheap Vans Shoes China . "I was fortunate to play many years at this level with a great organization and unbelievable teammates," said Hejduk in a statement. http://www.vansoutletstore.com/ . -- The Sacramento Kings are set to become the first major professional sports franchise to accept Bitcoin virtual currency for ticket and merchandise purchases. Cheap Vans Shoes For Sale .J. -- Josh Cribbs was in the Pro Bowl in February and out of a job six months later. Discount Vans Shoes . The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Lions have not announced the hiring, which was first reported by ESPN. Lombardi, the grandson of former Green Bay Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, has been an offensive assistant on Sean Paytons New Orleans staff since 2007. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- For three quarters at Nebraska last week, Illinois looked like the winner.But the team couldnt finish in the fourth quarter of the 31-16 loss. Its something Illini coach Lovie Smith said his team is still learning how to do, and he hopes can do Saturday against Purdue.Yeah, we were wore down a little bit, Smith said. Were making game improvements, just not that 60 minutes yet.The Illini (1-3, 0-1 Big Ten) dont face quite the same test in the Boilermakers that they did against No. 12 Nebraska. Purdue (2-2, 0-1) is coming to Illinois after a 50-7 conference-opening loss to Maryland. The Boilermakers were down 29-0 at halftime and gave up 400 rushing yards.Boilermaker coach Darrell Hazell acknowledged during the week that pressure is building on him and his team. And he defended at least part of his defenses effort.As crazy as that sounds, they were playing good defense to create plays, creating sacks, and then all of a sudden, bang, a big one would hit us for 50-plus yards, he said.Some things to watch for Saturday as two of the three teams at the bottom of the Big Ten West (Minnesota is the third) match up in Champaign:WHATS AT STAKEA win moves one of these two out of the Big Ten West cellar. Both teams have to look at this as one of the more winnable contests on their schedules, and a must if either has hope of getting to six wins and bowl eligibility. Theres also the Cannon , the trophy the teams have played for each season since 1943.CHANGES IN LUNTAgainst Nebraska, Illinois turned the clock back to run more of the no-huddle, spread offense quarterback Wes Lunt and the Illini were accustomed to the past few years. Offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said he was adapting to the personnel he has.But McGee also pusheed for changes in Lunt, saying the quarterback needed to do whatever it takes to win, including running.dddddddddddd Lunt almost never runs. His career high is 5 yards in the Nebraska game.McGee guessed that somewhere along the line Lunt was told he isnt a runner, something the senior quarterback said was essentially right.I think just kind of growing up and playing, Ive never been told to run. I was basically kind of labeled as a passer, Lunt said.KEY MATCHUPPurdue quarterback David Blough is second in the Big Ten in passing yards at 269.5 a game, and he doesnt take many sacks. The Boilermakers have allowed just seven sacks in four games. Purdues pass protection should be tested by the Illini, who are third in the Big Ten with 13 sacks. Carrol Phillips, who leads Illinois with four sacks, left the Nebraska game with a knee injury. Smith this week would only say it isnt long term.ON THE GROUNDIllinois moved redshirt freshman Reggie Corbin to a starting running back role against Nebraska and he responded with nine carries for 72 yards. But the man he replaced might like his chances against Purdue. KeShawn Vaughn had a big day in Illinois 48-14 win last season over the Boilermakers, carrying the ball 16 times for 180 yards and two touchdowns.PURDUE GROUND GAMEWhile the Boilermakers have a habit of giving up big rushing yards, theyve found the going tough when they have the ball. Purdue had just 10 yards rushing against Maryland and is averaging 135 yards a game on the ground.---Follow David Mercer on Twitter: (at)davidmercerAP---Online: Associated Press college football coverage: http://collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '