Adams and Rucker were strong in Saturday’s Spring Game playing for opposite teams, combining for three sacks and a forced turnover, and hope that Saturday’s effort is a sign of things to come.

“Defensively we played hard. (We) played well on third down and stopped the run more effectively,” head coach Mark Dantonio said.

“I thought Chris L. Rucker played very well. I thought Johnny Adams played well. … I thought we played aggressive down the field, but all in all I thought we showed a better football team.”

Adams recorded two sacks in the second quarter as the defense took over late in the first half of Saturday’s game.

Adams also recovered a fumble in the first quarter and finished with four tackles.

His performance Saturday is a good sign after he redshirted last season.

“I’m ready for next season,” Adams said. “Not playing last year was a humbling experience, so me being able to get out there and play in the spring game, it kind of gave me a little chill.”

Rucker did not play in the 2010 Valero Alamo Bowl game as he served a suspension for his role in the November 2009 Rather Hall incident, but finished with five tackles and a sack Saturday.

Rucker was listed on the second-team on the spring depth chart behind sophomore Mitchell White, but should see significant playing time this season.

Kickers

One of the tightest races this spring has been the competition for the starting kicking position, where sophomore Dan Conroy and redshirt freshman Kevin Muma are the top candidates to replace departed senior Brett Swenson.

Conroy was 1-for-2 on field goals as he missed a 35-yard attempt but hit a 31-yarder later in the game. Muma made a 19-yarder in his only attempt, and both kickers made all their extra-point attempts.

Muma averaged 59.8 yards in four kickoff attempts, while Conroy averaged 50 yards.

Dantonio has said the competition probably will go into the fall, but that both players are capable of hitting field goals from 50-plus yards.

“I think they need to take a step forward,” Dantonio said. “I didn’t like the fact that we missed one field goal that I felt we should have made, but this is a transition period for those guys.”

Goal-line deficiency

After redshirt freshman wide receiver Donald Spencer reeled in a 27-yard catch at the two-yard line, the Green team failed to score a touchdown on three straight plays in the third quarter Saturday.

The Spartans struggled at times near the goal-line last season, and had to settle for a field goal in one of their few attempts inside the redzone Saturday. Junior cornerback Chase Parker made a pass-breakup on third-and-goal to set up Muma’s field goal.