(Reuters) - Former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky on Monday said he was wrongly convicted of 45 counts of child sex abuse, denying on the eve of his sentencing that he ever participated in the "alleged disgusting acts."

"Why didn't we have a fair opportunity to prepare for trial? Why have so many people suffered as a result of false allegations?" Sandusky said in a statement taped in jail and carried by Penn State's student radio station.

"What's the purpose? Maybe (this case) will help others; some vulnerable children who could be abused, might not be because of all the publicity."

He added, "In my heart, I know I did not do these alleged disgusting acts. My wife has been my only sex partner. That was after marriage."

Sandusky, in isolation at the Centre County Correctional Facility, is due back in court on Tuesday where he could be sentenced to hundreds of years in prison. The former coach, who declared his innocence at trial, has appealed his convictions, claiming his trial was rushed and not fair.

Sandusky, once defensive coordinator for Penn State's powerhouse football team, was convicted in May on 45 counts of child sexual abuse in a case that shocked the nation. He did not take the stand at his trial and was expected to speak at the sentencing hearing.

Sandusky's lawyer Karl Rominger confirmed that the comments were made by Sandusky but had no details on the arrangement with the Penn State student radio station.

For Sandusky's full statement, please click on the following link: https://www.facebook.com/psucomradio/posts/10151176488566380

(Reporting by Paul Thomasch; Editing by Dan Burns and Cynthia Osterman)