KAILUA-KONA — When Austin Ewing signed on with Southern Utah University, he just wanted to compete and find a way to help his team — whether that was at quarterback or elsewhere.
While he hasn’t wrangled the starting QB job yet in his short time in Cedar City, the former Konawaena standout is working his way into the game plan and has developed into a secret weapon of sorts for the Thunderbirds.
Ewing ran and caught a touchdown in SUU’s 48-27 win over Sacramento State on Saturday, functioning — appropriately — as the team’s wildcat back.
The first touchdown of Ewing’s college football career came on the “Cedar Special.” He took the snap at quarterback, handed it off and then caught a pass wide open in the corner of the end zone.
“My eyes got super big, and I was just like, ‘Don’t drop it,’ ” Ewing said after the game.
The former Konawaena standout closed out his prep career as one of Hawaii’s all-time leading prep passers with 7,481 yards and more than 100 touchdowns accounted for. But what set him apart as a recruit was his athletic ability — excelling in multiple sports — and team-first attitude.
Those attributes have already become apparent to his coaches at Southern Utah, who are just trying to find ways to get him on the field.
“I came in as a quarterback as a true walk-on,” Ewing said. “It was tough, but I knew I wanted to be here and I’ve loved it since the beginning and everyone brought me in as a family. I kept working. I started from the bottom, ended up getting switched to receiver before the NAU game, and got some reps on special teams.
“J-Dubb (offensive coordinator Justin Walterscheid) has just trusted me a little more every week. He gave me a shot and I just tried to make the most of it. I’m not expecting anything. If I keep doing my job, the playing time will come.”
Ewing also ran in an 8-yard score in the second half out of the same wildcat formation.
The victory welcomed SUU to the win column after the team slugged through a rough 0-5 start.
“It’s been amazing to see this team fight through what we have been through and come through with a win,” Ewing said. “It was the best feeling so far.”
The Thunderbirds continue their season on the road against Idaho on Saturday.