× Thanks for reading! Log in to continue. Enjoy more articles by logging in or creating a free account. No credit card required. Log in Sign up {{featured_button_text}}

Natrell Jamerson’s time away from the field dragged on over the past two months.

The University of Wisconsin football team originally gave a four- to six-week timetable for the junior cornerback to return when he injured his left leg against Akron on Sept. 10. Eight weeks later, he finally returned in a limited capacity on special teams against Northwestern, and Saturday’s 48-3 victory over Illinois was the first time Jamerson’s role began looking similar to the one he left in September.

“I felt like not playing hurt more than the actual injury did,” Jamerson said. “It was kind of tough. I had to support my team in any way I could. Just being on the sideline, giving them support, helping them out. I did all I could.”

Jamerson got more of an opportunity to help on the field again Saturday. Last season’s special teams player of the year took his usual spot as the Badgers’ kickoff returner and took the opening kick 25 yards, which tied for UW’s third-longest return of the season.

Minutes later, he made a fantastic play as a gunner when covering a punt, timing a hit perfectly on Illinois return man Darius Mosley to pin the Fighting Illini inside their own 10-yard line.