SLIPPERY ROCK — Thirteen penalties for 119 yards. Fifteen points and 284 net yards offensively. Allowing 17 more offensive plays (74-57) to the opposition.

These are not numbers generally associated with Slippery Rock University football victories.

But they were on this day.

The Rock blocked a punt early, returned a fumble for a touchdown and scrapped their way to a 22-7 win over New Haven in a mutual college football season opener at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium on Saturday.

“We had to be relentless for four quarters and we were,” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said. “But we have to play better.”

Struggling to get unstuck on offense early, The Rock were able to turn a couple of big plays into touchdowns. Midway through the first quarter, Quentin Harrison blocked a New Haven punt, handing SRU possession at the Chargers’ 24-yard line. Three plays later, Rock quarterback Brayden Long found Mike Solomon for an 8-yard touchdown pass and a 6-0 lead.

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Eddie Faulkner IV, a defensive back, blitzed and sacked New Haven quarterback Daelen Menard in Chargers territory. The ball came loose on the play and Faulkner scooped it up, racing 32 yards for a touchdown and a 12-0 lead with 10:41 left in the first half.

“I was lined up more as a defensive end in that formation,” Faulkner said. “My first sight was on getting to the quarterback. When I saw the ball on the ground, it rolled toward me and I picked it up.

“Next thing I knew, I was running for a touchdown.”

Blake Nicholas, a freshman kicker who walked on to the SRU roster after never kicking a football in high school, missed the two PAT attempts. He was replaced by Jake Mullins, who delivered a PAT later in the second quarter and a 34-yard field goal late in the third.

Lutz described the blocked punt and defensive touchdown as “critical to this win. We weren’t doing much. Those plays definitely gave us a boost.”

Mike Henwood had a pair of interceptions for The Rock, and Josh Stokes had a pick called back by a penalty.

“I consider the blocked punt a turnover as well,” New Haven coach Chris Pincince said. ”You can’t turn the ball over like that when you’re playing one of the best teams in the country. I feel good about the way we hung in with them, but mostly, we did it to ourselves today.

“Without seeing the film, I can think of six to eight plays we missed making. Two would have been touchdown passes. We just didn’t execute.”

SRU put together a 75-yard drive late in the first half, ending on a 14-yard TD pass to tight end Kam Kruzelyak. New Haven’s lone score came on a 35-yard touchdown toss on fourth-and-10 with seconds left in the half.

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The Chargers were 2-for-17 on third down.

“I have to credit our defense today,” Lutz said. “They (Chargers) ran 74 plays and we only gave up 276 yards. That’s a great job.”

“We were getting pressure on the quarterback,” Henwood said. “Our secondary just has to read the play and be in the right spot. We did that today.”

SRU won its 18th straight season opener overall and 14th straight at home.

The Rock travels to Shepherd (W.Va.) for a noon kickoff this Saturday.

New Haven 0 7 0 0 — 7

Slippery Rock 6 13 3 0 — 22

First Quarter

SRU — Mike Solomon 8 pass from Brayden Long (kick failed), 6:49

Second Quarter

SRU — Eddie Faulkner IV 32 fumble return (kick failed), 10:41

SRU — Kam Kruzelyak 14 pass from Long (Jake Mullins kick), 3:37

NH — Mikey Caines 35 pass from Daelen Menard (Mullins kick), :25

Third Quarter

SRU — Mullins 34 field goal, 1:15

Individual Statistics

Passing: New Haven, Daelen Menard 16-40-150-2. SRU, Brayden Long 17-28-129-0.

Rushing: New Haven, Christopher Ais 16-64, Justin Felder 4-39, Zaon Laney 9-34, Daelen Menard 5-(-11). SRU, Chris D’Or 14-83, Idris Lawrence 9-55, Brayden Long 3-20, TEAM 3-(-3).

Receiving: New Haven, Mikey Caines 5-53, Joshua Zamot 2-40, Matt Chandler 2-24, Christopher Ais 2-8, Zack Rhodes 2-6, Zaon Laney 1-8, Kha’lil Eason 1-8, Zolton Panyi 1-3. SRU, Kylon Wilson 5-40, Tony Grimes 5-26, Kam Kruzelyak 2-24, Chris D’Or 2-23, Xander McClure 1-20, Mike Solomon 1-8, John Sabo 1-5.