SLIPPERY ROCK — Special teams played a special role in Assumption’s football success this season.

The Greyhounds blocked eight punts, had the best place-kicker in all of NCAA Division and had three returns for touchdowns in 2015.

“Hard work and preparation — That’s what has made it work for us,” Greyhounds coach Bob Chesney said of the special teams play.

Slippery Rock used those same two ingredients to turn special teams play in its favor Saturday.

Assumption blocked its ninth punt of the year early in the first quarter. Andrew Huska’s deflected kick still landed beyond the line of scrimmage. As an Assumption player tried to advance the football, he was drilled by a Rock defender and the ball squirted loose.

Garret MacFarland pounced on the ball at The Rock 48, setting up SRU’s initial scoring drive.

A blocked PAT resulted in Kyle Contreras racing 90 yards the other way for two points, cutting SRU’s lead to 6-2.

“We’ve done those types of things before,” Chesney said of scoring on special teams.

But the next time SRU dropped back to punt, it didn’t.

On fourth-and-3 from the SRU 38, Brett Crenshaw took the direct snap and lobbed a short pass to Brian McNally, who raced down field to complete a 36-yard gain. The play changed field position and ultimately set up a touchdown pass that gave The Rock a 20-2 lead late in the first quarter.

“We saw how aggressive they were in coming after our first two punts,” SRU coach George Mihalik said. “We thought that play would be there.

“It caught them by surprise. It’s something we’ve never done.”

It’s something that worked on Saturday.

“We got it to go our way,” Mihalik said. “Every play counts.”