Johnny Adams says hit on interception return that drew penalty was legal

The Michigan State Spartans fell to the Nebraska Cornhuskers by the score of 28-24 on Saturday, but that result might have been different if not for a penalty on Spartans cornerback Johnny Adams. Adams was called for a personal foul after blocking a Nebraska receiver during an interception return by the Spartans' Darqueze Dennard that went for a touchdown. On Tuesday, Adams said that he thought the hit was legal and that Michigan State's coaches told him the same thing.

That touchdown would have given the Spartans a 31-14 lead early in the fourth quarter, but instead the Spartans were unable to score again and would eventually relinquish the lead. The loss dropped the Spartans to 5-5 on the season and puts them in jeopardy of finishing the regular season without a winning record.

The Spartans will close the year by hosting the Northwestern Wildcats this Saturday and by visiting the Minnesota Golden Gophers the following week.