In Hoboken, N.J., 23 men and women are gathering to discuss the possibility of indicting Penn State quarterback Rashard Casey on charges stemming from an incident this summer.

At Penn State, 85 men are gathering around Casey to possibly win the Big Ten title and achieve revenge against the Golden Gophers, who thwarted the Nittany Lions' national championship aspirations a year ago with a last-second field goal at Beaver Stadium.

"I just try to stay focused by keeping my teammates focused," Casey says.

"I try to stay focused by doing what I have to do and not paying attention to everything around me."

While the grand jury will meet every Tuesday for about the next three weeks, the only statement Casey has made has been during Penn State practices and the Lions' gridiron contests on autumn afternoons.

Casey is not talking about the events of an incident during in the early morning hours where the fifth-year senior was arrested on aggravated assault charges the day before summer classes began at Penn State.

That is, in part, because Penn State officials will not let the quarterback state his case.

"We ask that you keep your questions football related," Penn State Sports Information Director Jeff Nelson warned reporters before Casey's Wednesday teleconference.

Penn State coach Joe Paterno is not saying much about the ongoing legal procedure, either.

That is because the coach, who has stood behind Casey, does not know about the proceedings either.

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

"I don't know. I haven't even talked to Rashard about it."

Casey's saga continues at 12:10 p.m. Saturday when Penn State faces Minnesota in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.

For Casey and his team, it is a chance to vindicate last season's loss against a team that shocked Penn State and ended its national championship quest on a last second 32-yard field goal.

It is also a chance to continue the emotional effort that helped Penn State propel past No. 22 Purdue last week before the Lions rest next week for the season's lone bye week.

There, Casey scored Penn State's game-winning touchdown on a two-yard run and completed 11 of 25 passing attempts for 109 yards.

But it was the way (not how) Casey ran the offense that garnered the most attention.

He took the snap from the shotgun formation, intentionally backing up from center for effect.

He pitched the ball out.

He did all the things fans have grown accustomed to seeing the Nittany Lions not do.

"Our game plan helped Rashard," Penn State wide receiver Kenny Watson said.

It helped that the Penn State offensive line held firm.

The running game carried the offense. And Casey's receivers finally caught passes.

With that, the criticism of Casey has stopped — at least for now.

"The quarterback gets all the blame, and all the glory," Casey said.

"I am willing to do what it takes for this time to get on track and win some games."

And so the quarterback is not concerned with his battle against the law — just his battle against Minnesota.

He will not make an appearance in court as of now, but he will appear under center, hoping to lead to his team to even more success.

"He's a fine quarterback," Minnesota coach Glen Mason said.

"He's got exceptional mobility.

"Whether he's in the pocket or out on the bootleg, you've still got to contain him."