Tulane's Makhi Hughes and Sam Howard look forward to hometown game | Tulane

Linebacker Sam Howard heard from childhood friends he hasn't seen in years this week in anticipation of Tulane's game against UAB. They're part of what he said is a crowd of more than 40 wanting tickets to the Green Wave's game with the Blazers on Saturday at Protective Stadium (noon, ESPN+).

Running back Makhi Hughes responded to numerous text messages from extended family members with the same request.

Playing in their hometown for the first time in their college careers is a big deal for the two Tulane Birmingham products, who will lead a contingent of seven Alabama natives when the Wave take the field. One of the seven has played at Protective Stadium before — nickelback Caleb Ransaw started for Troy in the Birmingham Bowl last December — but he's from Harvest, about 100 miles away. Safety Shi'Keem Laister, from nearby Clanton, faced Morgan State at a nearly empty Legion Field in 2021 while Tulane was evacuated to Birmingham through Hurricane Ida.

Neither experienced anything like what Hughes and Howard experienced on Saturday.

“It means a lot,” Hughes said. “It really puts a smile on my face to be on the field in my hometown and see my family in the stands. It will be a great moment for me.”

Howard didn't play in Birmingham for much longer, spending four years at Austin Peay before transferring to Tulane this summer. When he arrived for his recruiting visit, the game was circled on the calendar and factored into his decision.

“I said, well, October 5th is here,” he said. “It will be very surreal when my whole family comes over to support me. I look forward to it.”

The chances are good that their fans will go home satisfied. Tulane (3-2, 1-0 American Athletic Conference) is a two-touchdown favorite against UAB (1-3, 0-1), thanks in large part to the contributions of the Birmingham duo.

When the Wave hosted the Blazers last season, Hughes rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns off the bench. He has started every game since then and is on pace to repeat his AAC-leading 1,378 yards rushing from last season.

Howard provides the leadership Tulane lost when 2023 leading tackler Jesus Machado tore his ACL in the Military Bowl last December. Howard, who has started all five games this year, is third on the team with 22 tackles and 1½ sacks against UL.

Neither is likely to be distracted by their surroundings. Regardless of whether the pressure to perform played a role or not, wide receiver Mario Williams had a season-low three catches for 36 yards when he returned to Oklahoma, his former school, in September. Fellow wideout Dontae Fleming had just one catch for 8 yards in his return to Lafayette, his hometown of three years.

“I already told my parents, 'If I can get tickets for everyone, I will, but if not, they have to buy tickets,'” Howard said. “We have to concentrate on the game. We have to win in a hostile environment.”

By all accounts, Hughes is as level-headed as they come.

“I usually have a conversation with the guys and tell them, 'Hey, don't let all the distractions take your focus away from what's going to help you play well,'” Tulane coach Jon Sumrall said. “I have no doubt that Makhi's focus and preparation will not change because he is going home. He's a pro when it comes to how he handles himself. That’s what makes him such an exceptional player.”

Hughes' career-high 166 yards rushing – set last year against UAB and matched two weeks ago against UL – may be within reach. The Blazers have allowed more than 200 yards on the ground in three straight games.

Howard would like to approach his season-high of 10 tackles against Oklahoma.

“God knows my deepest desires, so I will go out and do whatever He asks of me,” he said. “Our biggest job as a defense has been to get a little better every week, and if we can do better, hey, watch out.”