LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — A Lebanon County native had the golden toe Sunday, powering the Arizona Cardinals to an 18-16 win over division rival Los Angeles Rams.
Chad Ryland, 27, who attended Cedar Crest High School, connected on all six of his field goals, including the game-winner as time expired, shocking the Rams on the road.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 18: Chad Ryland #38 of the Arizona Cardinals kicks a game winning field goal against the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth quarter of a game at SoFi Stadium on October 18, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
According to ESPN research, Ryland’s 18 points on Sunday are the most by a Cardinals kicker since Week 14 of 2010, when Jay Feely scored 25 points against the Broncos.
Ryland was named the “Legendary Performer of the Game” by the Cardinals after the game.
After graduating from high school, Ryland played for Eastern Michigan as a walk-on from 2018-2021, before transferring to the Maryland Terrapins in 2022, where he hit 19/23 field goals.
Ryland’s journey to the Cardinals started in New England, where he was drafted in the fourth round by the Patriots, and he connected on 64% of his field goal attempts in 2023.
He was waived in favor of Joey Slye in 2024 and was later signed to the Cardinals’ practice squad.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 18: Chad Ryland #38 of the Arizona Cardinals leaves the field after his team’s 18-16 win against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on October 18, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Taking over in October for the injured Matt Prater, Ryland kicked three game-winners and went 8/9 overall. He ended up re-signing with Arizona in 2026.
According to the Cardinals team page, Ryland has hit 10 of his 11 field goal attempts from more than 50 yards out. He joined Prater as the only players in franchise history with at least three made field goals of more than 55 yards in a season.