CHICAGO, ILL., July 27, -- Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, speaking to the media at the annual Big Ten Conference Kickoff event, said that he intends to play senior quarterback Rashard Casey "until something convinces me I shouldn't."

Casey, who shared quarterbacking responsibilities with the graduated Kevin Thompson last fall, is facing charges in connection with a May incident in his hometown of Hoboken, N.J.

"People think I'm spending sleepless nights worrying about what's going to happen," Paterno said of the Casey situation. "There's nothing I can do about anything right now, and I'm not going to do anything right away. There's no reason to do anything right now.

"The challenge in this game," Paterno continued, "is that you may not have the same team tomorrow that you have today. Every situation is different. If I told you I have a hard-and-fast rule if this or this or this happens, I think you'd be looking at a lousy human being."

The Nittany Lions convene fall practice on Monday, Aug. 7, in preparation for their Kickoff Classic opener with Southern California in Giants Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 27. The game will be nationally-televised by ABC Television.

Casey led all Big Ten quarterbacks in passing efficiency in 1999 with an excellent 62.8 percent completion rate in 94 attempts and six TD passes. He also was Penn State's No. 2 rusher with 290 yards. The New Jersey high school product was voted the Offensive MVP of the Alamo Bowl after orchestrating a 24-0 Penn State victory over Texas A&M.

Paterno was accompanied to Chicago by two members of his 2000 team--offensive tackle Kareem McKenzie and defensive end Justin Kurpeikis. Both players have attracted attention as potential postseason honors candidates in many preseason grid publications.

The Lions return 32 lettermen from last season, including nine starters--seven on offense and two on defense. In addition, six offensive and six defensive players with previous starting experience are available to Paterno and his coaching staff.

Also at the Big Ten Kickoff activities, Michigan has been tabbed as the 2000 Big Ten preseason favorite by members of the media in attendance. The Wolverines were followed by second-place Wisconsin and third-place Purdue in the voting by press representatives. Coming off a 10-2 season, Michigan returns 43 lettermen and 16 starters.

Purdue quarterback Drew Brees won the media's nod as the Big Ten preseason Offensive "Player-of-the-Year" and Wisconsin cornerback Jamar Fletcher was the pick as preseason Defensive "Player-of-the-Year."