With one kick, it all came to an end.

Placekicker Dan Nystrom's 32-yard field goal thwarted Penn State's national championship aspirations and sent the Nittany Lions on a downward spiral where they lost the last three regular season games last year and opened this season with a 1-4 mark.

Is Joe Paterno out for revenge this season?

"I hate to use the word 'revenge,' " Paterno said, "because Glen Mason is such a good friend of mine."

As for this year's battle, Paterno still had high praise for the Golden Gophers. They have earned it after hanging tough against Purdue in a 38-24 loss and then decisively overcoming conference sleeper Illinois, 44-10, Saturday.

"Minnesota is a heck of a football team," Paterno said yesterday during his weekly teleconference.

"All you have to do is look at them. They really match up well against us," he said.

Casey's case

A New Jersey grand jury began indictment proceedings against Rashard Casey yesterday. Paterno said he had no knowledge of that and has not been informed of his quarterback's legal matters since he talked to Casey's attorney, Dennis McAlevy, when the team was in New Jersey for the Kickoff Classic.

"I haven't got the slightest idea," Paterno said.

When asked if Casey was on campus yesterday, Paterno said, "Geez, I hope so."

In fact, Paterno was so uncertain of Casey's legal situation he asked reporters if Casey had to attend. Penn State officials have not been informing Paterno, who hopes Casey keeps Paterno posted should the quarterback be required to attend legal procedures.

"I haven't talked to a single soul," Paterno said.

Casey is expected to start this week. Reserve Matt Senneca did not play quarterback at all against Purdue, but saw time on special teams and made a key stop on a failed extra point attempt.

Injury report

Are you ready? There is a bunch.

Defensive end Bob Jones didn't play last week against Purdue with a shoulder injury and might not compete this week. Reserve wide receiver Steve Delich pulled a hamstring in practice and he will not play this week.

Offensive lineman Gus Felder is still out with a sprained knee and Joe Hartings will not protect Rashard Casey as he hyperextended his left elbow.

But tight end John Gilmore might play this week as he has resumed running drills in practice after hurting his back before the Pittsburgh contest.

Therefore, when Penn State takes it 64-man squad to Minnesota this weekend, it will have depth trouble, particularly filling all the specialists spots. With Jones out, Eric Dare might handle the long snapping duties and could serve as a reserve defensive back.

"We have a bunch of kids who are fighting like dogs," Paterno said.

Sacked

Although Paterno has praised Casey for much of the season, he would like his scrambling quarterback to throw the ball away more instead of dipping into Penn State's rushing total by taking sacks.

Casey was sacked five times for a loss of 25 yards in Penn State's 22-20 win against Drew Brees and the Boilermakers.

That put Penn State in a precarious position as it found itself in second-and-long spots instead of remaining 10 yards from the first down pole.

"It really puts too much pressure on the offense of this football team," Paterno said. "They are not that good."

Golden (Gophers) dome

Paterno might have posted an impressive mark while competing indoors, but it does not mean he has to like playing on turf in another dome game.

"What do I like about it?" Paterno asked.

"Nothing," was the coach's response.

Paterno, who has been in the coaching profession for 51 seasons since he graduated from Brown, prefers the rugged outdoor conditions that he believes make football so popular.

Overall, Penn State holds an 8-3 mark when it competes in dome stadiums, and the Lions have prevailed in their last four indoor contests.

The Lions played their postseason contest last season against Texas A&M in the Alamodome and will also face Indiana Oct. 28 in the RCA Dome. This is the first season Penn State will have two games in domes after the game against the Hoosiers was moved to Indianapolis instead of being held on Indiana's campus.

Lighter side of the news

After defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky retired, Paterno said he would have a more active coaching role. Yesterday, that took shape in his media relations as moderator Frank Giardina did not run the calls.

"Maybe, I will do the monitoring too," Paterno joked as he checked his watch to discover he was two minutes early for the 12:30 p.m. press conference.

Penn State Sports Information Director Jeff Nelson sat on Paterno's left and regulated the media gathering.