He ran the option in the Big House, scrambled for first downs in the Horseshoe and delivered touchdown passes in the Rose Bowl.

Brigham Young's sophomore quarterback will try to make the last vision a reality this afternoon when BYU (1-0) brings its 11-game winning streak into the Rose Bowl to face No. 13 UCLA (1-0).

"That is as good as it gets, to play in the Rose Bowl against UCLA," Hall said. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, and that is what makes college football fun. To get to play in a place like that is a privilege."

As much as BYU tries to treat the trip to Pasadena as any other game, the players realize the special significance of the journey.

Every sport has certain venues that capture the imagination with their tradition, history and atmosphere.

College basketball has Cameron Indoor Stadium, Allen Fieldhouse and Pauley Pavilion. Baseball has Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium and Wrigley Field, and golf has Augusta National, Pebble Beach and St. Andrews.

Built in 1922, the Rose Bowl largely gained its national reputation by hosting its annual New Year's Day bowl game following the Tournament of Roses Parade.

Listening to Keith Jackson call the action on a sun-splashed day, Bryan Kehl always wanted to experience the Rose Bowl for himself.

"That is college football at its finest. Pasadena, California, on a Saturday afternoon at the Rose Bowl," the BYU senior linebacker said.

Kehl was part of the BYU team that traveled to Notre Dame Stadium two years ago, and saw the Touchdown Jesus mural and the College Football Hall of Fame.

"I wish we could schedule more nonconference games like those," Kehl said. "I would love to play in the SEC at Florida or LSU or the ACC at Florida State or Clemson or witness the 12th man in College Station (Texas A&M). I would love to play at all of those stadiums."

Harvey Unga has uncles who have played at the Rose Bowl, and they have been telling the freshman running back stories about the venue.

"I don't know how many kids dream of playing in the Rose Bowl, and I am getting that opportunity. I can't wait to get out there and see what it's like," Unga said. "This is my chance, and hopefully I can come back with some good memories."

Having spent seven seasons coaching at UCLA, BYU offensive line coach Mark Weber says the Rose Bowl tradition is worthy of its praise.

"Everybody knows about the Rose Bowl, especially the players who have grown up on the West Coast," he said. "It's a great place to play a football game. It will be a lot of fun for these guys to go in there, and more importantly, to go in there with a good football team and play a good football game."

Like his quarterback, BYU receiver Austin Collie always envisioned himself running routes from Happy Valley to the Swamp in his own front yard.

"Those are all the places you are always told of as a little kid, even LaVell Edwards Stadium," Collie said.

rpotkey@sltrib.com