LORMAN &8212; Alcorn State head coach Johnny Thomas also serves as special teams coordinator for the Braves, so he obviously likes to see big plays coming from that unit. He&8217;s also plenty happy to have a big-time weapon lining up in the return game.

Nate Hughes, the senior wide receiver/return specialist, has returned from a season-ending injury in 2005 to key the Braves&8217; current four-game win streak.

Hughes, a native of Macon, has given the Braves a spark in each of their last three games with key returns, from a 90-yard punt return for a touchdown at Prairie View to big returns to set up scores at home against Texas Southern and Southern the last two weeks.

Thomas said he had no doubt Hughes would be back with a vengeance this season.

&8220;Nate has always been a true competitor,&8221; Thomas said. &8220;He is a multi-threat player. He can run, throw, catch and return the ball. He&8217;s a leader, an athlete and a scholar.&8221;

Thomas said he also likes to poke fun at Hughes on occasion.

&8220;He&8217;s a nursing major,&8221; Thomas said. &8220;I tell him that once he&8217;s practicing I&8217;m going to go and let him treat me and not pay him.&8221;

Hughes, who tore his rotator cuff along with several ligaments in his shoulder five plays into the 2005 season, said he was driven to come back by the very competitiveness Thomas spoke of.

&8220;I just love to play football,&8221; he said. &8220;I&8217;m a very competitive person. I like to play lots of sports, but football is one that gave me a real opportunity to compete.&8221;

The big season Hughes has had through seven games may have also been helped by the fact that he was able to get back to practice sooner than originally thought.

&8220;Rehab was tough,&8221; he said. &8220;It went a lot better than we thought it would, though. They had told me I wouldn&8217;t be able to catch until the end of summer, but I was out there catching and running in May.&8221;

Thomas said the impact Hughes has had on the team since coming back is obvious.

&8220;You can look and see what he does for the team,&8221; he said. &8220;He watches film and does everything we ask of him. He&8217;s also getting a lot of help in the blocking game, but he&8217;s a big part of what we do.&8221;

With the Braves in the midst of a SWAC title run, Hughes said the team would have to continue to play well if they are to win out.

&8220;Any time you get on a winning streak, things just start to click,&8221; he said. &8220;I&8217;m looking for a big season out of us, and I&8217;m glad to be back and be a part of us getting there.&8221;