SLIPPERY ROCK — Nathaniel Willison kept making field goals.

And he kept backing up.

And backing up.

And backing up.

The Slippery Rock senior soccer player and kicker for the Rockets' football team eventually found himself setting up at the 47-yard line.

He peered at the goal post that looked very far away and took a deep breath.

“This is probably the edge of my range right here,” Willison said, laughing.

Willison lined up the kick, swung his foot into the sweet spot and watched as the football cleared the crossbar.

“That was awesome,” Willison said.

While he admits a 57-yarder may be a bit unrealistic in a game situation, Willison said he is confident from 45 yards and in.

He's already made an impact for the Slippery Rock football team.

In a 34-21 season-opening win against General McLane, Willison converted field goals of 29 and 32 yards, had a touchback on a kickoff, had another fall into a void for an onside kick recovery and launched a 62-yard punt that flipped field position and ultimately changed momentum early for the Rockets.

Willison's place kicking is even unique.

He eschews a tee, instead choosing to kick off the ground.

“It's definitely something I felt like I needed to get used to if I wanted to do this at the next level,” Willison said. “I just got used to it.”

At first, Slippery Rock coach Larry Wendereusz wasn't sold on his kicker jettisoning the tee.

“During preseason, Coach W was leaning toward the tee,” Willison said. “After a couple of practices kicking off the ground, I told him I felt more comfortable doing it that way and I had adjusted to kicking off the ground. He said, whatever works for me.”

It's worked well.

And Wendereusz isn't at all surprised.

This is Willison's third season as a kicker for the Rockets and he's put in work during the offseason to get better.

“We thought as he matured his leg strength would improve, and it has,” Wendereusz said. “He's gone to kicking camps and he's done all that on his own. He has the desire to get better. He was committed.”

Willison went to two big camps last year that gave him confidence and helped him improve.

The first was in Cleveland, where he was one of three kickers chosen to move on to a showcase in Austin, Texas.

“It was kind of surprising that I was selected for the showcase in Austin,” Willison said. “There were a lot of talented people there.”

While in Austin, Willison learned a lot about the mental approach of kicking.

“I took away a lot of technique things, but also a lot of mental preparation,” Willison said. “That's a big part of kicking. You have to learn how to tune out all the noise, all the buzz.”

Willison said Adam Sandler has helped him with that.

Yes, the comedian Adam Sandler.

When Willison is lining up for a pressure kick, he thinks of a quote from one of Sandler's most iconic and popular comedies, “Happy Gilmore.”

In that movie, Sandler's character, a failed hockey player who discovers his hidden talent as a golfer with his monster drives off the tee, must block out distractions while on the putting green.

His happy place.

“I have to go to my happy place,” Willison said, laughing.

Willison has found that place a lot recently.

Willison is also a key member of the Rockets' boys soccer team, which is coming off a 13-4-1 season and a trip to the District 10 playoffs.

He's a center-back.

“Not a lot of credit,” Willison said, “but a lot of importance.”

Juggling the two sports in the same season can be difficult at times, but Willison has handled it well.

He practices with the football team at least two days a week and almost every Thursday. That's when Slippery Rock does its mock-game prep and Willison gets his most work.

“I've gotten a lot of support from both programs,” Willison said. “They've made it easier for me to do both.”

Willison has his sights set on kicking in college, but his first priority is finding a school that meets his academic needs.

Willison wants to study actuarial science, the study of risk and uncertainty.

There is little uncertain about Willison's goals.

“I've gotten a lot of interest from Division III and some Division II schools,” Willison said. “I've been in touch with the Robert Morris special teams coach. That's my goal.”