Louisiana Tech Alum L'Jarius Sneed Makes Critical Play In AFC Championship

As the Kansas City Chiefs clinched their second consecutive trip to the Super Bowl on Sunday night, their efforts were helped along by a handful of stellar defensive plays late in the game. One that arguably sparked the late surge of brilliance from KC was a forced fumble by defensive back L'Jarius Sneed on the Chiefs' own goal line.

To begin the fourth quarter, the Chiefs were leading 17-7 with Baltimore quickly driving down the field. Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson completed a pass to Zay Flowers who had the ball punched out at the one-yard line by Sneed. The ball was recovered in the end zone by the Chiefs, signifying a touchback and Kansas City's possession.

Kansas City went on to win the game 17-10.

Sneed played at Louisiana Tech from 2016 to 2019. In four seasons in Ruston, Sneed had no forced fumbles. He did total 177 tackles and eight interceptions as a Bulldog under Skip Holtz. Sneed was drafted by Kansas City in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 138th overall pick.

In the LA Tech record books, Sneed is tied for the career lead in interceptions returned for touchdowns with three. He was a two-time All-CUSA selection with the Bulldogs.

Per Pro Football Reference, this was was Sneed's first forced fumble of the year and the fifth of his his NFL career.

The Chiefs will play the winner of Sunday night's matchup between Detroit and San Francisco in Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday, February 11.