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 Royals Jerseys China . -- Mike Smith never saw his first NHL goal go in. Custom Royals Jerseys . -- Josh Sterk scored once and set up two more as the Oshawa Generals edged the visiting Belleville Bulls 3-2 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. http://www.customroyalsjersey.com/ . -- Brandon Jennings made the most of his first game with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. Wholesale Custom Royals Shirts . Supported by three-run homers from Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos, the young right-hander went seven strong innings in the Washington Nationals 8-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. Custom Royals Jersey China . Denis Coderre, the former federal MP who was elected mayor on Nov. 3, has drawn the ire of some Montreal Canadiens. During last nights game he tweeted: "Hello? Can we get a one-way ticket to (minor-league) Hamilton for David Desharnais please. HOUSTON -- Already eliminated from playoff contention, the Los Angeles Angels quite enjoy playing spoiler.Yunel Escobar hit a two-run homer and pinch-hitter Rafael Ortega had three RBI during a six-run ninth inning, lifting the Angels over the Houston Astros 10-6 on Friday night.The loss dropped Houston to 2 1/2 games behind the Tigers for the second AL wild card, a tough blow after clawing back with a five-run sixth inning to make it 6-3 prior to the late-game collapse.We want to play spoiler, C.J. Cron said. Were not just going to push over and let them take the series. I think you saw that fight in us toward the end of the game today.Houston led 6-4 when Escobar sent a slider from Ken Giles (2-5) into the seats in left field to start the ninth. Giles walked Mike Trout with one out before intentionally walking Albert Pujols. Cron followed with a bloop single to score Trout and put the Angels on top.Giles was replaced by Michael Feliz after loading the bases with a walk. Ortega cleared the bases with his two-out double, which deflected off shortstop Carlos Correas glove, to extend the lead.Toughest inning of the year, Houston manager A.J. Hinch said. For a lot of reasons.Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia was impressed with his teams comeback.You want to play the game the right way, he said. You want to play hard, you want to play well but that sometimes doesnt add up to a win. Tonight we overcame some of our own miscues, rallied and got some big hits on the offensive side.Nick Buss had two RBI for Los Angeles and Cron had an RBI double in the first. The Angels have won three in a row.Its the fifth blown save for Giles, who allowed three hits and six runs in 1/3 inning.I didnt do my job, Giles said. I put us in a hard position right now, and ... Im going to make up for it.Marwin Gonzalez hit a two-run single in the sixth that tied it before pinch-hitter Tyler White laced an RBI single to center field to make it 4-3. Jason Castro hit a third straight single to send home another run. Mike Morin took over and Houston got another run home on a passed ball to extend the lead.Buss drovee home a run with a groundout in the eighth to cut the lead to 6-4.ddddddddddddouston starter Doug Fister allowed five hits and two runs in five innings.Los Angeles starter Alex Meyer yielded four hits and four runs with three walks in 5 1/3 innings in his seventh major league appearance. Cody Ege (1-0) got the last two outs of the eighth inning for his first major league win.Pujols doubled to start the second and Cron followed with his double to make it 1-0. A third double, this one by Buss with one out, scored Cron to push the lead to 2-0.THEY SAID ITIm not going to let Pujols be engaged in that inning. Ive seen enough of him over the years, as has this organization, Hinch on why he chose to intentionally walk him in the ninth inning.TRAINERS ROOMAngels: RHP Garrett Richards, who has been out since May after having Tommy John surgery, felt good on Friday after throwing a bullpen session a day before. He feels great ... the ball is really coming out hot, Scioscia said. Hes turning it loose and its exciting to see him healthy. Scioscia added that the next step will be to send him to pitch in their instructional league.Astros: Correa left the game after hitting the ground hard trying to make a catch in the ninth inning. There was no immediate word on his injury. ... Houston RHP Lance McCullers, who has been on the disabled list since Aug. 3 with an elbow strain, will throw another bullpen in a couple of days after feeling good following his first once since the injury on Thursday. There still isnt a timetable for his return.UP NEXTAngels: Jhoulys Chacin (4-6 5.26) will pitch for Los Angeles on Saturday. Chacin allowed six hits and one earned run in five innings in his last start on Monday against Texas but did not factor in the decision.Astros: Brad Peacock (0-0, 2.86) will make his fourth start for Houston on Saturday. Peacock allowed three hits and two runs in 5 1/3 innings in his last start but did not factor in the decision in a 4-2 win over Oakland. ' ' '