SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 Sports) - Utah State head coach Stew Morrill addressed the media for the first time since junior forward Danny Berger collapsed at practice Tuesday.
The Aggies game against BYU was postponed Wednesday, but Utah State returns to action Saturday night at home against Western Oregon.
“It’s been 10 days since we’ve played," Morrill said. "It will be interesting with all the circumstances with Danny and everything. It will be interesting to see where we’re at. We went back to the practice floor yesterday, because of Danny’s improved situation, the kids were a littler rusty, but in good spirits and had about as good a workout as you could expect. Everything wasn’t perfect, but hopefully we’ll be a little better today."
Berger collapsed at practice, stopped breathing, but was revived by Utah State trainer Mike Williams with CPR and a defibrillator. He was listed in critical condition, but has seen been moved out of the ICU and his condition has been upgraded to fair.
The Aggies practiced Thursday and Friday, and Morrill says that has been good for the players.
“I think it has," Morrill said. "Danny is doing better. I’m sure it would have still been therapeutic at some point, but the fact that Danny’s doing better has made it seem like it’s time to go back to the practice floor.”
Morrill is curious to see how his team responds to what will promise to be an emotional game.
“I’m an old bird," Morrill said. "I don’t know if I’m a tough old bird, but I’m definitely an old bird and things like this are hard. The fact that he’s doing so much better has made it bearable. It’s emotional. You spend time at the hospital, I’ve been there three days in a row, and your heart aches. He’s such a good kid. I told our team this yesterday, but Danny was just coming out of consciousness and he thanked me for coming. That one about got me. Yeah right, like it was a big deal for me to come. He’s just an awfully, awfully good kid.”
