BARNUM CATCHES ON: A list of home-grown...

BARNUM CATCHES ON: A list of home-grown football players who now are bound for postseason bowl games might start with Terry Barnum, a former star at Alemany High in Mission Hills. . . . Barnum expected to earn a starting position at USC, but not this position. A tailback in high school, Barnum is now a pass-catching fullback. After a loss to UCLA and Saturday’s 17-17 tie with Notre Dame, USC’s bowl picture remains cloudy.

GALLOPING BUFFALO: It has been a whirlwind season for Christian Fauria, tight end of bowl-bound Colorado (10-1). Fauria, from Crespi High in Encino, is a probable NFL draft choice. He has caught more passes than any tight end in Colorado history (98), and ESPN had Fauria act out a facetious football fantasy during a midseason telecast.

TWO WILD CATS: Arizona is angling for a trip to the Freedom Bowl in Anaheim Dec. 27 and running back Ontiwaun Carter (above) and wide receiver Richard Dice are leading the way. Carter, from Kennedy High in Granada Hills, and Dice, from Alemany, are Arizona’s two best offensive players. Carter has set the Arizona career rushing record with 3,457 yards. Dice has 56 receptions for 969 yards and eight touchdowns.

CHRISTMAS GIFT: He’s one of the area’s best players, but his team won’t be going to a bowl game. UCLA quarterback Wayne Cook of Newbury Park High engineered the Bruins’ stunning 31-19 upset of USC just over a week ago, a victory that helped assuage the pain of a 5-6 season. . . . Cook will play in the Blue-Gray all-star game in Montgomery, Ala., on Christmas Day.

GREAT TIP: Four years ago, Utah wide receiver Curtis Marsh was a talent awaiting discovery. He played in only three football games at Simi Valley High and came to the attention of Moorpark College coaches after he was seen making slam dunks in a basketball game at a nearby park. It was a good tip. Marsh has 61 receptions and 11 touchdown catches. . . . Utah will play in the Freedom Bowl.