Turner immediately tied it in the bottom of the first with a le

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- No one on Florida States roster knows more about bouncing back after getting knocked down more than Matthew Thomas.For the first time in four years, the junior linebacker is living up to the potential many saw when he was recruited in 2013. Thomas leads the 13th-ranked Seminoles in tackles going into Saturdays game at South Florida.Florida State (2-1) is trying to bounce back after a 43-point loss last Saturday at Louisville. Considering that during the past three-plus seasons Thomas has dealt with shoulder injuries, the death of a parent and being academically ineligible, the blowout win by the Cardinals is just a small roadblock.Last year at this time Thomas was on the sidelines watching his teammates and wondering if he would ever play football or even remain at Florida State.I know I put myself in a lot of bad situations, bad predicaments. I dug myself in a hole, so I just had to get myself out of them he said. I may take some hits, but I get back up.Coach Jimbo Fisher said earlier this week that Thomas finally started maturing and understanding the importance of trying to revive his career.Hes really turned into a really good player for us, but more importantly becoming a very good leader, Fisher added.Thomas credits running back Dalvin Cook and defensive end DeMarcus Walker for their emotional support last year. Cook and Thomas are both Miami natives while Walker first met Thomas at a high school all-star game in 2013.Besides dealing with injuries and academics, Thomas was also struggling with the loss of his mother, Mariska Nyon, in January of 2015. As a five-star prospect at Booker T. Washington, Thomas wanted to attend Southern Cal but it was his mom who wanted him to go to Florida State.Thomas oldest brother has moved up to Tallahassee and has also provided emotional support.Thomas also said he owes Fisher a lot for standing by him and keeping his word to his mother that Fisher would support him.Besides maturity, another thing players and coaches have noticed is that Thomas is having more fun. He is the first to acknowledge that the game wasnt fun due to the repeated shoulder injuries. Thomas had shoulder surgery last spring and this is the one the healthiest stretches he has had at FSU.When asked how he would assess the first three games, Thomas said he still feels as if he is rusty. He remains a physical tackler that some have compared to former FSU standout Telvin Smith, who is in his third season with the Jacksonville Jaguars.Thomas has 20 tackles, including two for loss. He is one of the quickest players on the defense but has been tentative at times by thinking too much on the field. Thomas and the Seminoles defense has struggled against option teams and face another test on Saturday against South Floridas high-scoring offense.The 3-0 Bulls have rushed for over 200 yards in eight straight games and have scored 45 points or more in their last three.I still feel like Im getting right a little bit with different situations and different atmospheres, he said. I dont want to mess up. I just want to make my teammates proud, make my couches proud. So Ive been trying stay on point.Right now, Thomas teammates are just happy that he is on the field and making plays.As time went by he saw the door closing. At the last minute, he grabbed it and opened it, Walker said. Im glad hes my teammate and hes bought in.---Online: The APs college football page: http://collegfootball.ap.org---Follow Joe on Twitter: www.twitter.com/joereedy and his work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/journalist/joe-reedy Wholesale Soccer Jerseys . After Martin Skrtel put the Reds in front from close range at Stamford Bridge after only four minutes, Hazard hit back in the 17th with a superb strike. Etoo gave Jose Mourinhos team a decisive lead from Oscars back pass in the 34th. Replica Soccer Jerseys .com) - The women will also have a new champion at the Australian Open. https://www.cheapsoccerjerseysjustwholesale.com/ . According to a report from the Winnipeg Free Press, the Bombers will name Acting GM Kyle Walters to the post full time. Soccer Jerseys For Sale . Only three players drafted by NHL clubs were included on the Czech selection camp roster on Wednesday. Those players were Dallas Stars 2012 first-rounder Radek Faksa, Winnipeg Jets 2013 fourth-rounder Jan Kostalek and Phoenix Coyotes 2012 seventh-rounder Marek Langhamer. Soccer Jerseys . -- Ryan Blaney provided more evidence that Penske Racings No. WASHINGTON -- If the Colorado Rockies faced contenders like the Washington Nationals more often, they might also be in the playoff race.Nolan Arenado went 4 for 4, including his 35th home run and a triple, and drove in three runs as the Rockies beat the Nationals 5-3 on Sunday.Arenado and David Dahl hit back-to-back home runs in the third inning off Nationals rookie Lucas Giolito.Colorado took two of three from Washington and won the season series 4-2.Since August 12, the Rockies have won three of five series with the victories coming over the NL East-leading Nationals and the Chicago Cubs, owners of the best record in the majors. Yet those gains were offset by three game sweeps by Philadelphia and Milwaukee.Its weird the way were playing, Arenado said. When we face the good teams, the best teams, we take it to another notch. ... When play bad teams, it feels like we get kind of complacent. We have to change that. Every game counts now for us.Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and Wilson Ramos went deep for Washington.Giolito (0-1) allowed four runs and six hits in five innings. Washington has dropped six of eight.Chad Bettis (11-7) allowed two runs, both on solo homers, and five hits with six strikeouts over seven innings in his longest start since April 10.The right-hander induced Ben Revere into an inning-ending double play with two runners on in the fifth to preserve a 4-1 lead.He used his entire pitch mix well, but especially his changeup, Rockies manager Walt Weiss said of his starter. The double play he got in the fifth was big. That was a game-changer.Adam Ottavino recorded the final three outs for his second save after Harper homered off Boone Logan leading off the ninth.The Nationals officially recalled Giolito from Triple-A Syracuse before the start of Sundays game and sent infielder Wilmer Difo to Double-A Harrisburg. Washingtons top prospect allowed three of the first four batters to reach as Arenados RBI single put Colorado up 1-0.They definitely jumped on the fastball, and when I wasnt able to locate it, they kind of made me pay, Giolitoo said.ddddddddddddTurner immediately tied it in the bottom of the first with a leadoff homer.In third, Arenados liner cleared the fence in left for a two-run blast and Dahl followed with a drive for a 4-1 lead. All three runs in the third came with two outs.Its that one bad inning that does you in, Nationals manager Dusty Baker said of Giolitos outing. That was the one bad inning.Arenados fifth-inning triple was initially scored a three-base error on Harper misjudged a fly ball hit to sunny right field.The third baseman now has 32 RBI in August. In his last seven games, he is batting .552 (16 for 29) with five homers and 13 RBI. Arenado also two, four-hit games in that stretch.Harper went 1 for 4 a day after he was ejected in the 10th inning of Washingtons 9-4 loss for arguing a called third strike.WILD ONEWashington reliever Koda Glovers wild pitch landed flush on the left shoulder of home plate umpire Mike Muchlinksi in the eighth. As Nationals catcher Ramos simultaneously searched for the ball and checked on the crumpled umpire, Daniel Descalso scored from second base for a 5-2 lead. Muchlinksi remained in the game.AUGUST HEATArenados 32 RBI in August is one shy of the franchise record set by Andres Galarraga in 1996.TRAINERS ROOMRockies: RHP Tyler Chatwood (10-8, 3.75), on the disabled list with a mid-back strain since Aug. 16, will have a rehab start Monday for Double-A Hartford at Richmond. Chatwood is expected to go five innings or about 75 pitches.Nationals: RHP Joe Ross (right shoulder inflammation) allowed one run on three hits in one inning Sunday in his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Syracuse.UP NEXTRockies: Colorado returns home to begin a three-game series against the Dodgers. RHP Jon Gray (8-6, 4.61 gets the nod for the Rockies.Nationals: RHP Tanner Roark (13-7, 2.99 ERA) faces Phillies rookie Jake Thompson (1-3, 9.78) in the first of 22 straight games for Washington against NL East opponents. ' ' '