YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -  It's what everyone is talking about around the water cooler, NBC's exclusive interview with Jerry Sandusky. 

Sandusky is the former Penn State assistant coach charged with 40 counts of sexually abusing eight boys.

In an exclusive interview with Bob Costas on NBC's Rock Center with Brian Williams, Sandusky claimed he's innocent of the sex crimes involving the alleged victims who were all part of his youth program The Second Mile.

He even refers to his actions as horse play.  "I say that I'm innocent of those charges.  Well I could say that I have done some of the things, I have horsed around with kids.  I have showered after work outs, I have hugged them and touched their leg."

Sandusky is accused of 40 counts of sexual abuse against eight boys over 15 years.  The New York Times is reporting there could be 10 more alleged victims in the Penn State child abuse scandal.

While Pennsylvania law and Ohio law may not be identical, the assistant chief prosecutor in Mahoning County says a grown man and authority figure taking showers with children is never acceptable.   Prosecutor Dawn Cantalamessa says, "If you have that special relationship and you hold that authority, you're not supposed to engage in sexual conduct with that person, that's illegal."

But Cantalamessa admits proving sex abuse is challenging.   In the state of Ohio touching the inside of a leg or any erogenous zone for sexual gratification is illegal.   "If someone is into foot rubbing and that's how they get their sexual gratification, then it could be even that."

The grand jury indictment against the former Penn State coach details explicit testimony of victims and witnesses in the child sex abuse case, but they don't allege horseplay as Sandusky contends.  Instead their statements layout a pattern of disturbing crimes against children that authorities say can't be mistaken for anything else.

Sandusky says he's innocent and his attorney says the public should suspend judgement until he has his day in court.