Sept. 22, 2003

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Western Washington University football wide receiver Andy Olson has been named Great Northwest Athletic Conference co-Player of the Week for Sept. 14-20.

Olson, a sophomore from Chehalis (W.F. West High graduate), caught seven passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns in the Vikings' 52-28 loss at Nebraska-Omaha. Olson's effort, which matched the seventh-best single-game receiving yardage total in school history, also earned national recognition as he was named D2football.com honorable mention Player of the Week.

Olson caught a 58-yard touchdown pass with 2:14 left before the half, and then hauled in a two-point conversion pass to tie the game at 21. After Nebraska-Omaha scored a touchdown on its next possession, Olsen caught a 38-yard touchdown pass with three seconds left before the half, to knot the game at 28.

Olson, who has caught 18 passes for 433 yards and five touchdowns this season, is averaging 24.1 yards per catch and has two 100-yard receiving games. He made seven catches for 154 yards and two scores in Western's season opener against Saint Cloud State.

Olson shared POW honors with Central Washington University quarterback Zak Hill.

The Vikings host NCAA I-AA independent Saint Mary's College CA (0-3) on Saturday (12 noon), at Bellingham's Civic Stadium.