FRESNO, Calif. — Some day the University of Hawai'i might have to defend him, but for the moment, freshman Ebahn Feathers has been the Fresno State defense's problem.

Feathers, one of the most highly touted players to sign with the Bulldogs, is posing as a Warrior.

Specifically, the 6-foot-1, 210-pound freshman, who was the 2007 California state high school player of the year for medium-sized schools, is being asked to replicate UH quarterback Inoke Funaki. Because of Fresno's concerns about Funaki's running ability, coach Pat Hill said he wanted someone fast to help prepare the Bulldogs' defense for what they are liable to see in tomorrow's game.

"He'll give them a good look," Hill said.

Feathers said: "I played (out of) the shotgun before, so it won't be too difficult for me. Go out there and give the team the look and give them my best."

Feathers, from suburban Fresno, has been timed at 4.38 in the 40-yard dash, according to FSU. Some people forecast him to replace the current quarterback, senior Tom Brandstater, as the starter next season.

PPV PAYING OFF

Pay-per-view revenue from UH sports has already matched last year's total and officials are hoping interest in tomorrow's game at Fresno State can push receipts higher.

Sales for the season have so far totaled approximately $3.75 million, according to Norman Santos, Oceanic Time Warner Cable vice president for operations.

The rise in revenue, Santos said, is attributable to having more games on pay-per-view and a slight price increase over 2007.

John Fink of KFVE said, "Fresno is (UH's) biggest rival at this point, along with Boise State, and this is a big game to see if UH can stay in the WAC race."

Oceanic is partnered with KFVE and UH.

This year's pay-per-view package is a 21-game, all-sports offering, including 11 of UH's 13 football games.

Total PPV revenues have averaged approximately $2.7 million in recent years, Santos said.

Key components in that rise are a hike in prices over last year and the popularity of a $99 UH football road package offered as an enticement to season ticket holders who renewed by Aug 1. The offer was a 65 percent savings over the regular fee.

PPV revenue helps underwrite approximately 8.5 percent of UH's $29 million athletic department budget.

ROAD WARRIOR TAILGATE

The Hawai'i Chamber of Commerce of Northern California will host its 10th annual "Road Warriors Tailgate" tomorrow at Fresno State's Beiden Field, the baseball stadium that is adjacent to the football stadium.

The event, which alternates between UH's San Jose State and Fresno State road games, usually attracts hundreds of UH fans and Hawai'i transplants to the West Coast.

It will run from 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., a half hour prior to kickoff, and feature local entertainment, food booths and souvenir stands.

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