Aug. 24, 2005

BELLINGHAM, Wash. -

JOE SUNNEN THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

Western Washington University wide receiver Andy Olson is still trying to get his legs in shape for the Vikings' season opener against Mesa State College on Saturday at Grand Junction, Colo.

A little more than a week ago he was afraid he might not live to play his senior season.

Olson returned to practice on Sunday, nine days after his left lung collapsed while at a morning practice on Aug. 12. He spent two days in the hospital and several days resting before getting back on the field.

"It gets a little better every day," Olson said. "I'm just kind of taking it slow, getting back. The first couple days were a little hard, but it's starting to come back to me now."

On Tuesday, the preseason All-American from Chehalis was back at his usual position, catching long passes and turning screens into big gains. "Obviously it's great to have Andy back," coach Rob Smith said. "He's someone we need."

Olson set school records for touchdown catches and receiving yards last season and is expected to be a major component of the Vikings high-powered offense this season.

When the pain hit Olson, catching touchdown passes couldn't have been any further from his mind.

"I thought I was having a heart attack," Olson said. "It was an incredible sharp pain and my left arm went numb. I really thought it was a heart attack. That was probably the most scared I have ever been."

Olson said he's physically at about 80 to 90 percent right now and is looking forward to Saturday's season opener.

"I'm getting better," he said.

Notes: Freshman Ace Younggren will be the starting kicker for the Vikings on Saturday because Bobby Peck is nursing a quadriceps injury. Peck won the starting job during the preseason, but won't be able to play against Mesa State. ... Sophomore Joe Samuels is ahead of schedule with his knee injury and could be back by next week.