Oh Baby, What a Time for Lutui

USC players and coaches were sized for national-championship rings Thursday, but offensive tackle Taitusi Lutui said he was presented with a greater gift the day he returned from the Orange Bowl.

Lutui, the Trojans’ only married player, said that his wife, Puanani, delivered the couple’s first child the morning after the Trojans’ 55-19 victory over Oklahoma.

Lutui was aboard the team charter when his 7-pound 9-ounce son was born. He said becoming a father was “more excitement than the national championship, but it was all an overwhelming experience.”

Lutui said his wife called him when she went into labor in Salt Lake City shortly before kickoff.

“She watched the game very painfully,” Lutui said.

The couple named their son Inoke Liuaki Moe Hau Lutui.

“It means, ‘Return a champion,’ an expression they use in Tonga,” Lutui said.

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The Trojans will be honored during a public ceremony on campus Jan. 21.

The ceremony will begin at 3:30 p.m. near the Tommy Trojan statue and will feature the unveiling of several national-championship trophies and quarterback Matt Leinart’s Heisman Trophy.

After the ceremony, there will be a celebration party and a concert at 5 p.m. The events are free and open to the public.

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Steve Lopes, senior associate athletic director, said USC was considering several opponents for an open date in its schedule next season but declined to name them.

USC opens the season Sept. 3 at Hawaii and has an open date Sept. 10.

But Lopes said the added game probably would be played in November.

USC plays California on Nov. 12 and is not scheduled to play again until Dec. 3 against UCLA.

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Daryl Gross, new athletic director at Syracuse, said he has told USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett that he would like the Trojans to play the Orange in the future.

Gross hired Greg Robinson as Syracuse’s coach this week.

“I want Syracuse to get out West,” said Gross, who is wrapping up responsibilities as a senior associate athletic director at USC. “They’re so regionalized. I want them to carry the banner for the Big East. So I asked Mike, ‘As soon as there’s an opening, let’s play some ball.’ ”

Gross said scheduling conflicts probably would prevent the matchup from occurring for at least four years.

“Give Greg some time to gather some troops and see what happens,” Gross said. “It would be a blast.”