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Wisconsin HB Chez Mellusi discusses return to field after recovering from torn ACL
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After being sidelined for nearly 10 months with a torn ACL, Wisconsin HB Chez Mellusi made his long-awaited return against Illinois State on Saturday.
“He looks great now,” offensive coordinator Bobby Engram said, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Jeff Potrykus. “I think he has worked really hard to get himself back.”
Mellusi had to wait on the sideline for much of the first half, but eventually made his way onto the field.
“I was anxious,” Mellusi said. “I was excited. Then the whole first quarter went by and I was like: ‘Man. I have to warm up again.'”
Wisconsin only had 3 plays in the first quarter for a total time of 1 minute and 28 seconds.
“It was pretty frustrating… I wasn’t frustrated with my playing time,” Mellusi said. “It was just the way the game was happening. It was getting on my nerves.”
Its second possession came a minute into the second quarter. The possession lasted just one play as Braelon Allen took the ball 96 yards to the endzone.
Mellusi eventually got his first carry, and he went on to have 10 carries for 48 yards. Not only did Mellusi feel good in his return, he felt better.
“I’m a lot faster this year,” he said. “Last year I didn’t have the burst that I normally have but I had to play football. So I just (fought) through that and now I feel great and have the burst back.”
Mellusi and the Badgers will look to repeat their week one success against Washington State at home tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. ET.