CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Makhi Hughes showcased an impressive performance on Thursday night, rushing for 117 yards and scoring two touchdowns on 27 carries, as Tulane secured a 27-3 victory over Charlotte. This win marks Tulane’s sixth consecutive triumph, pushing their overall record to 7-2 and maintaining a flawless conference record of 5-0.

Following their earlier losses to then-No. 17 Kansas State and then-No. 15 Oklahoma in September, the Green Wave have rebounded remarkably, winning 15 straight regular-season games within the American Athletic Conference. This impressive streak currently stands as the longest active conference winning streak in the country.

The game commenced with a lengthy opening drive from Tulane, which consumed 10 minutes and 58 seconds, covering 80 yards over 20 plays. Jacob Barnes capped this drive with a 34-yard field goal, putting Tulane ahead 3-0 with just 2 minutes remaining in the first quarter. Hughes later increased the lead with a one-yard touchdown run, concluding a 14-play, 76-yard drive to make it 10-0 at 1:45 in the second quarter.

As the first half drew to a close, Charlotte (3-6, 2-3) managed to respond with a 29-yard field goal by Stephen Rusnak, bringing the halftime score to 10-3. However, the Green Wave extended their lead in the third quarter thanks to Barnes, who kicked another 34-yard field goal at 9:36 into the period. Just over a minute later, Micah Robinson intercepted a pass and returned it 21 yards for a touchdown, further widening the gap.

The relentless Green Wave continued to dominate by executing a 13-play, 68-yard drive, which was capped by Hughes scoring once again on a one-yard run to bring the score to 27-3 with 14:08 remaining. Charlotte’s Shaadie Clayton-Johnson responded with a five-yard touchdown run with just 2:22 left on the clock, concluding the match’s scoring.

This season, Tulane has demonstrated their defensive prowess, amassing eight non-offensive touchdowns, which includes six from their defense and five pick-sixes, leading all Football Bowl Subdivision teams. In a stark contrast, Charlotte struggled offensively, finishing the game with a mere 189 total yards, 12 first downs, and a time of possession that only reached 17 minutes and 50 seconds.