CLEMSON, S.C. -- He doesnt flash that easygoing smile as frequently. His play gets scrutinized and picked apart more, because many of the folks who gushed about Deshaun Watsons game a season ago now focus on the overthrows and critical interceptions.Still, Clemsons junior quarterback is back in the same spot -- a Heisman Trophy finalist.The journey this time has not been as smooth. He apologized in September after two closer-than-expected wins for not bringing the same joy into his game as he had the first two years. Hes led prime-time, fourth-quarter comebacks against No. 16 Louisville and No. 12 Florida State and thrown three interceptions that helped Pitt pull off a stunning upset, a 43-42 victory that was Clemsons first home loss since Watson was in high school.Watson believes he is in part tagged with matching the success he had in 2015 when he became the first player in the Football Bowl Subdivision to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for 1,000. He capped it with a virtuoso performance against Alabama in the national title game, accounting for four touchdowns and 478 yards in a 45-40 loss.Its easy for people to say that Im not having the type of season I had last year, because to be honest, a lot of people didnt really know me until the end of the season, Watson said. So theyre just living off the national championship game, and all the success I had in that.Once last season ended, Watson was elevated to the face of college football, a favorite for the Heisman who would command a deep, talented Tigers attack that had potential to be the best in the game. When that did not happen immediately, Watson became ripe for criticism, no matter how much success he and his teammates had.Personally, I dont really care about anybody elses opinions and expectations. I understand what Im doing, and my teammates do, too, he said.Watson has dealt with more difficult things in life. His mother, Deann , was diagnosed with cancer of the tongue while he was at Gainesville (Georgia) High. Deann Watson spent six months in the hospital after her glossectomy, an operation to remove her tongue that takes breast tissue to rebuild the tongue.Watsons mother was declared cancer-free in 2012, although she needs to use a feeding tube for the rest of her life.Its something I kind of grew up on, especially coming from the environment I grew up in and the situation with my mom, Watson said. Its a blessing to be able to play the game of football, because one step later it can easily be taken away from me.Watsons numbers this season belie the eye test. Hes thrown for 3,626 yards and 34 TDs, up from 3,223 and 27 touchdowns during the regular season in 2015. His rushing numbers have dropped, but so have Watsons carries. He was most effective running in the postseason, getting 68 carries and 349 yards in the ACC title game and the teams two College Football Playoff games last season.Hes the best player in college football, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. I mean, just that simple. He has done a fantastic job leading this football team.---BEST GAME: Watsons best may have come in an early-season, 42-36 showdown win over Louisville and Heisman Trophy front-runner Lamar Jackson. Watson helped the Tigers to a 28-10 halftime lead, then dug down in the fourth quarter after Jackson had rallied the Cardinals to a 36-28 edge. Watson threw a 20-yard TD pass to Mike Williams to begin the rally with 7:05 to go and directed an 85-yard drive he finished with a 31-yard scoring pass to Jordan Leggett. Watson ended the night with 306 yards and five touchdown passes.WORST GAME: It seems crazy to label an ACC-record-setting performance as Watsons worst game, but his 580 yards passing against Pitt were offset by three interceptions -- and the last two led to Panthers touchdowns in their 43-42 victory at Death Valley last month. The final pick at the Pitt goal line with Clemson driving for a potential clinching score sprung Pitt linebacker Saleem Brightwell for a 70-yard return that led to a crucial TD. Watson has 15 interceptions in 13 games this season after throwing 15 in 23 games his first two seasons.PRO PROSPECTS: Watson will be one of the first quarterbacks taken in next springs NFL draft, but he might have to rebuild his stock some to show he is a top-of-the-first-round player. Clemsons last ACC player of the year quarterback, Tajh Boyd, saw his stock go from early-round prospect to a sixth-round pick in the 2014 draft.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 Cheap NHL Jerseys China . Jason Zucker and Matt Cooke also scored for Minnesota, which has won five of six. Kuemper made five saves in the first, nine in the second, and nine in the third. The rookies best save came with 2:17 left in the third period when he denied former Wild forward Matt Cullen from just outside of the crease on the right side. China NFL Jerseys . Its sharpness matched my mind. This was no night to go to sleep. http://www.cheapnhlchinajerseys.com/ . -- Jimmy Walkers first PGA Tour trophy came with a special gift tucked inside. Wholesale Cheap Jerseys . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. Cheap Hockey World Cup Jerseys 2018 . -- New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis is retiring after a 16-year career to become the goalie coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy. OKLAHOMA CITY -- Russell Westbrook notched his fifth consecutive triple-double -- the longest streak of his career and the NBAs longest since Michael Jordans seven straight in 1989 -- in the Thunders 101-92 win over the New Orleans Pelicans?on Sunday.?I just play, honestly, Westbrook said. I dont want to get into a conversation if Im going to do it every night. I just want to go out and compete at a high level, like Ive been doing since Ive been in the NBA.Westbrook had his triple-double, his 10th of the season and the 47th of his career, by the middle of the third quarter and finished with 28 points, 17 rebounds and 12 assists. (Technically, it was a quadruple-double, as he had 10 turnovers as well.)Now 21 games into the season, Westbrook continues to average a triple-double -- 31.0 points, 10.8 rebounds and 11.3 assists. He is the first player since Oscar Robertson in 1963-64 to accomplish the feat this late into the season.?I think the worst thing you can do is take him for granted or take what hes doing for granted, Thunder coach Billy Donovan said. I would say this: Hes creating a norm for himself, and I think in creating that norm, what you dont want to do is take it for granted, and I think it speaks to how he can impact a game of basketball.Westbrook has 10 triple-doubles this season; the rest of the NBA has combined for 11. The Thunder are 8-2 in games in which Westbrook records one.I just like to win, brother. Honestly, Westbrook said. Thats the most important part. Making sure everybody is good, making sure my guys are happy with their games, and make sure we win the game.With the win Sunday, the Thunder improved to 13-8 and not coincidentally have won five straight during Westbrooks triple-double stretch. During the streak, Westbrook is averaging 28.6 points, 14.4 rebounds and 13.8 assists.I dont think I have any word too describe him, man.dddddddddddd [English] is my second language. I dont think theres any word to describe his play, Thunder center?Enes Kanter said. Hes doing an amazing job. Hes not just making himself better, but hes making everybody else better around him. Thats what a really special player does. Hes not worrying about his stats; hes worrying about everybodys stats. And hes making sure were winning games. Hes just an unbelievable player.The Thunder withstood another massive line from Anthony Davis, who finished with 37 points and 15 rebounds.He cant beat us just by himself, Kanter said. Thats what a really special player does, look at Russell. Getting his stats, but making everybody else better. With them, hes done a good job. I dont want to say nothing bad about him. Hes a good player. Thats it.Sundays game marks the third time Westbrook has hauled in more than 15 rebounds in a contest this season. A point guard, Westbrook is ninth in the NBA in rebounds per game this season.Just grabbing the ball before the other team does, Westbrook deadpanned when asked why he has had such a jump in rebounding this season.His determination is second to none in the league, Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said. I coached him in an All-Star Game, and he plays the same way in an All-Star Game. Everybodys out there having fun, and hes as focused as anybody Ive seen in an All-Star Game.Westbrook is actually an assist and two rebounds away from nine consecutive triple-doubles.You say, Well, who is he like? 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