He could not have been more relevant on Sunday, when his 22-yard field goal in overtime lifted the Kansas City Chiefs to a shocking 27-24 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Arrowhead Stadium.

The upset of the defending Super Bowl champions ended a franchise-worst 10-game home losing streak for Kansas City and brought national attention to Succop and the solid rookie season he is enjoying for the rebuilding Chiefs.

He has converted 16-of-20 field-goal attempts with a long of 53 yards. He has made all but one of his five tries between 40 and 49 yards and is flawless on all 15 of his extra-point tries.

USA TODAY takes a closer look at Succop:

THE PLAYER

• Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 218.

• Hometown: Hickory, N.C.

• College highlights: Played in 50 games at South Carolina, converting 49 of 69 field goal attempts (71%) with a career long of 55 yards. Nailed all but two of his 106 extra-point tries. Finished with 251 points, second-highest total in school history. Had 69 touchbacks on 192 kickoffs. Handled punting and kicking duties as sophomore and junior.

• Scouting report: Strong-legged kicker with excellent range. Ability to boom kickoffs makes him a valuable weapon in the battle for field position. Coverage team welcomes height and depth of his kicks. Hard worker who constantly strives to improve accuracy.

• Quotable: "It was amazing. It was such a big win for our team. Our offense did a great job of putting us in position. To have an opportunity to kick it was an unbelievable feeling." —Succop, on his 22-yard field goal to stun Pittsburgh 27-24 in overtime last Sunday

THE PERSON

• Mr. Irrelevant: "I never thought I would be irrelevant. I knew God gave me the ability to play at this level and this was his way of giving me an opportunity."

• Being drafted: "There were several teams who said they were interested in drafting me. They said it depended on whether they could fill their needs at other positions. I knew Kansas City was one of the teams interested. When they called my name, it was pretty exciting."

• Role model: "I would have to say Jesus Christ. He's the ultimate role model."

• Greatest strength: "All my life I've had a really strong leg. It's a combination of a strong leg and being able to be accurate."

• Greatest weakness: "There is always room for improvement. I'm trying to get stronger every year and refine my technique."

• Chiefs' future: "We're improving all the time. All I know is all of the guys are fired up to play every Sunday."

• Life after football: "My major in college was finance and entrepreneurship. I've always wanted to own my own business. I'm just not sure what business that would be."

• NFL dream: "I would like to be one of those kickers who plays 15 or 20 years. To play for an organization like the Chiefs would be even better. And to win a bunch of games."

Enlarge By Ed Zurga, AP Chiefs kicker Ryan Succop booted the game-winning field goal in overtime against the Steelers on Sunday.