raised his scoring average to 22.3 points per game, to g

With all the attention given to Clemsons offense and quarterback Deshaun Watson, it may be easy to overlook the contributions of the Tigers defense.But the play on that side of the ball could be a key factor as the second-ranked Tigers (9-0, 6-0 ACC) go into the seasons stretch run that starts with a visit from unranked Pittsburgh (5-4, 2-3) Saturday. Kickoff at Memorial Stadium in Clemson is at 3:30 p.m. ET with the telecast split between ABC and ESPN2.Clemson posted 565 yards in a 54-0 demolition of Syracuse last week, but the real story may have been the defenses second shutout of the season and the fifth since Brent Venables was named defensive coordinator in 2012.The Tigers held high-scoring Syracuse to 277 yards -- 208 below its season average -- and intercepted three passes, returning one 64 yards for a touchdown.It was a fun tape to study and grade, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. Its pretty special when you can play a clean game like that and dominate like that. Shutouts are hard to come by, so Im really proud of those guys.Its a remarkable surge for a unit that lost the bulk of its 2015 talent to the NFL and loomed as the teams biggest question mark in the preseason. But Venables has plugged the holes and molded a defense that ranks 12th nationally and appears to be getting better every week.Linebacker Ben Boulware is its heart and soul. An emotional leader, he plays hard from snap to whistle and is tied for the team lead in tackles with 74 stops despite missing one game with injury. He had seven tackles last week against Syracuse.The easy victory over the Orange was a welcome change of pace for Clemson, which had won five of its first eight games by a touchdown or less.It was nice -- these last few games weve been holding onto our hats in the fourth quarter, Swinney said.The visiting Panthers also have experienced their share of close games, but generally have come out on the losing end. Before last weeks 51-28 thumping by Miami, they had lost by seven points to Oklahoma State, by one to North Carolina, and by three to Virginia Tech. They do have three-point wins over Penn State and Georgia Tech.They had considerable success running the football early on, but struggled on the ground at Miami, finishing with just 130 yards. They went into the game averaging 232 yards rushing. Running back James Conner, their leading rusher for the season, ended up with just 40 yards on 12 runs.Quarterback Nathan Peterman passed for 287 yards, but he completed only 17 of his 35 pass attempts and had a critical interception in the end zone in the third quarter with the Panthers trailing by just 13 points. The Panthers also lost a critical fumble deep in their own territory that led to a Miami touchdown.The Panthers had problems on the other side of the ball as well, getting to Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya for only one sack, that in the fourth quarter. They came into the game with 28 sacks on the year.Now the Panthers face Clemsons Watson, who finished third in Heisman balloting a year ago.Hes special, obviously, Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said. I dont know if hes still up for the Heisman or how politics go there, but hes a great football player. They are undefeated. He leads their offense.Deshaun is not only an excellent thrower, but hes got a strong arm and throws darts. But hes got the run threat, too. Kaaya really didnt, even though he scrambled on some third-down passes to gain yards last week.This guy is a threat on every down to beat you with his arm and beat with you his feet. Thats going to change some things for you on defense.The Panthers need one more victory to reach bowl eligibility for a ninth consecutive season. The Tigers are looking to clinch the Atlantic Divisions berth in the ACC title game.As we get into November, Swinney said, were certainly headed in the right direction. Hydro Flask Günstig Kaufen . With Parker having a quiet game for once, Nicolas Batum and Boris Diaw provided the scoring as France won its first major basketball title by beating Lithuania 80-66 on Sunday. It was a victory that ended a decade of frustration for Parker and a talented French generation, which lost the final against Spain two years ago and took bronze in 2005. Hydro Flask Schweiz . -- Ohio States Urban Meyer has never had any issue acclimating to the biggest stages in college football. http://www.hydroflaskflasche.ch/ .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Hydro Flask Bestellen . -- Gus Malzahn finally had his day in Fayetteville. Hydro Flask Billig . Now tied for second in the league in shootout goals, the 24-year-old likes to see what the opposing goaltender has in store before he ultimately lands on a move. BOSTON -- Isaiah Thomas tied his career high with 37 points for the Boston Celtics at New Orleans on Monday night.In New York, Harrison Barnes registered his fourth straight 20-point game for the Dallas Mavericks.The individual efforts, however, didnt lead to victories and the teams meet at TD Garden on Wednesday night.I think were at a time where as a team each person has to look at individually what they can do, Barnes, who won a ring with the Golden State Warriors last season, said after the Mavs, again playing without Dirk Nowitzki, lost 93-77 to the Knicks.Thomas, the Celtics little giant, put on a one-man show in the fourth quarter in New Orleans, only to have the Pelicans emerge with just their second win in 11 games.I dont feel like we played as well as we should have, Avery Bradley said after his team fell to 5-5. Even myself -- I dont feel like I came out and made shots in the second half and it hurt our team. It cant just be Isaiah; it has to be other guys that are out there making plays for each other and making shots.Nowitzki has missed the last four games for the Mavs (2-7) with an Achilles injury, joining teammates Deron Williams and Devin Harris on the sideline. He went through an extensive working in New York pre-game but just wasnt ready. It didnt sound like Wednesday would be any different.The biggest issue is just the running. Im not a big runner at this stage of my career, but I cant really go up and down yet, Nowitzki said Monday. I havent really done a full practice, so Im just not quite there yet. But the good thing is its getting better.Since sitting out last week, obviously, Im doing more and more. Weve increased the load, so Im getting closer. But unfortunately, we just couldnt pull it off tonight.Owner Mark Cuban told the Dalllas Morning News: You play the hand youre dealt.dddddddddddd I think hes really close. Hes feeling better. We just dont want to rush anything. Theres no reason to. Well wait until theyre healthy.While Dallas has been missing its aging star and two others, the Celtics have been without Al Horford (concussion, seven games) and former Mav Jae Crowder (ankle, six games). Both were close, but Crowder is out Wednesday and Horford is a possibility to return.Were trying to be as smart as we can about this, Horford said. I just want to make sure that when Im ready to go Im good to go.Thomas scored 37 Monday despite a sore middle finger on his left hand. He also had seven assists while going 13-for-29 from the floor.I just dont have the same feel I have when its not swollen, so a lot of my layups and (shots) come off my hand wrong, he said. Im just trying to slowly figure it out and adjust. Its tough, but theres no excuses, so Ill figure it out.Said coach Brad Stevens: Isaiahs super tough. He always has nicks and bruises because of the way he plays, but hes a tough guy.Thomas, who has had at least 20 points in all 10 Boston games, is eighth in the NBA with a 26.9 scoring average and is 10th with 6.6 assists. He is averaging the same number of rebounds and turnovers -- 2.8.Barnes, who signed a $94 million contract with the Mavericks, was shaky in the preseason. But he has been coming on. He has raised his scoring average to 22.3 points per game, to go along with 5.9 re