Aug. 12, 2005

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Western Washington University wide receiver Andy Olson was hospitalized Friday morning with a collapsed lung and will miss two to three weeks of action.

Olson, a senior from Chehalis (W.F. West High School) who was named a preseason NCAA Division II All-American by Don Hansen's Football Gazette, is third in school history in career receptions (150) and career touchdown catches (27), and fourth in career receiving yardage (2,480).

"Obviously, our thoughts are with Andy and we'll give him tremendous support as he recovers from this," said Western coach Rob Smith. "I'll also predict that he'll surprise us with how fast he does recover. He's a tough young man and we know he'll be back with us soon."

Olson is expected to be hospitalized for two-to-three days.

Smith said Olson began experiencing some sharp pains when he inhaled early in today's morning practice and was eventually taken to the emergency room at St. Joseph Hospital.

Last year, Olson set school and Great Northwest Athletic Conference records by making 15 touchdown catches, having 68 receptions overall for 1,075 yards. He ranked No.9 nationally in receiving yards per game (107.5 avg.), breaking his own GNAC record, and was No.12 in receptions per game (6.8).

Western, which began fall workouts last Thursday, has its first scrimmage Saturday (7:30 p.m.) at Civic Stadium. The Vikings open their season Aug. 27 (7 p.m. MT) at Mesa State.