Former Virginia Tech DB has monster fourth quarter to spark Chiefs' comeback

Trailing 22-17 in the fourth quarter, the Kansas City Chiefs were looking at a home loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Normally they get a monster fourth-quarter performance by quarterback Patrick Mahomes to rally for a win. That was not the case Sunday.

Former Virginia Tech defensive back Chamarri Conner played a massive role in the final 15 minutes of the game with Kansas City trailing by five to spark a rally to walk away with a 26-25 win.

Former Virginia Tech DB Chamarri Conner sparks Chiefs' fourth-quarter rally

The Chiefs were down 22-17 when Cincinnati QB Joe Burrow was sacked and fumbled the ball. Conner rushed in, scooped up the fumble, and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown and a 23-22 KC lead. The Bengals answered with an Evan McPherson field goal for a 25-23 lead, then late in the game, Cincinnati was facing a third down and Conner came up with a huge sack of Burrow to force a punt.

On the ensuing possession, Kansas City, on the strength of a pass interference penalty on fourth down, marched down the field and won the game when Harrison Butker nailed a 51-yard field goal as time expired for the win and improve the defending Super Bowl champs to 2-0.

Conner finished the game with six tackles, four solo, one sack, and a tackle for loss. Yes, Mahomes magic on the final drive played a big part in the win, but without the scoop and score from Conner and the key sack on third down that forced the punt to set up the game-winning drive, they are not in that position.

This is the second week in a row the Bengals have been beaten by a former Virginia Tech player after kicker Joey Slye hit three field goals and an extra point in Week 1 during a loss to the New England Patriots. Not a bad start to the 2024 season for a couple of former Hokies.