The collegiate career of former San Benito High football player Wade Jacobson ended Saturday in the annual Apple Cup between Washington State and Washington.
Jacobson’s Cougars upset Washington 31-28 in overtime to improve to 3-9 during the 2012 season – the first under head coach Mike Leach.
Jacobson, who played at right tackle, was one of only two Cougar seniors to start the game. The 2008 SBHS graduate started two full years at Washington State in 2010 and 2012. He missed eight games in 2011 after back surgery, but he recieved a medical redshirt to continue his career.
Jacobson started his college career at Gavilan College, where he earned all-state, all-region and all-league accolades for his play. He started every game in his freshman and sophomore years for the Rams.
In Saturday’s win, the Cougars came back from an 18-point fourth quarter deficit and won on a 27-yard field goal in overtime. The win snapped an eight-game losing streak.
Ryan Di Salvo
As a starting long snapper for the San Jose State football team, Ryan Di Salvo helped the Spartans complete their first 10-win season since 1987. It’s the Spartans first winning season since 2006.
In the Spartans third year under Mike MacIntyre, San Jose improved from five wins a year ago to 10-2 record this year. The Spartans should earn their first bowl berth since 2006 after finishing the season in second place behind Utah State, which also finished 10-2.
Di Salvo, who graduated from San Benito High in 2012, played in all 12 games for the Spartans recording two tackles on special teams.
The Spartan regular season ended Saturday with a 52-43 victory over Louisiana Tech. San Jose State trailed 27-24 at halftime, but rallied for four second-half touchdowns to win the game.
Di Salvo was on the field for a field goal on the game’s opening possession and three punts.
Mike Murphy
After helping the North Dakota State Bison win the NCAA Division I FCS championship a year ago, the 2010 San Benito graduate, Mike Murphy, will once again be the long snapper for the Bison as they go for a second straight title.
The No. 1 ranked Bison begin the 2012 postseason Saturday against No. 21 South Dakota State. The Bison enter the game with a 10-1 record. They’ve won five consecutive games.
Murphy has played in 10 of the Bison’s 11 games. He has contributed one tackle so far this year.
Emily TonasciaÂ
In Emily Tonascia’s first year at Menlo College, the 2010 SBHS graduate helped the Lady Oaks earn a 17-7 record and a Cal Pac tournament championship.
Menlo’s season, though, ended on Nov. 17 in the opening round of the 2012 NAIA National Championship tournament. The Lady Oaks fell to College of Idaho 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-21).
Tonascia played in all 81 sets during the year, contributing 83 kills and a team-high 49 blocks.
