SPRINGFIELD, Mo. ― Asked if he's ever had a five-week stretch like the one he's currently in the midst of and J.B. Mauney answered with one word, "Never."

The 26-year-old, who is in his eighth season on the elite Built Ford Tough Series, added, "I was a guy you always looked out for, but there was no telling what J.B. was going to show up that weekend - the one that was going to stay on and ride rank or the one that was not going to put as much effort as he should out and not try as hard."

The near-capacity crowds in Springfield have given him standing ovations each of the past two nights and are witnessing an older, more mature Mauney.

For the second night in a row Mauney wowed the crowd at JQH Arena.

He covered Razorbuck for 90.75 points on Saturday night to take a commanding lead in the PFIWestern.com Invitational, presented by Bass Pro Shops, with 178 points after two rounds.

VIDEO: Watch Mauney's winning ride on Razorbuck

The final two rounds begin Sunday evening at 5 p.m. CT, and Mauney will be looking to win his third BFTS event in the past five weeks.

"They're no words to explain it," Mauney said. "I'm having fun. This is the best I ever felt riding bulls."

RELATED: Mauney wins Round 1 in Springfield, Mo. 

Only two other riders - Monster Energy teammate L.J. Jenkins (173.75) and Claudio Crisostomo (157), who is making his BFTS debut - have covered both of their bulls this weekend, while Billy Robinson (88.75) and Chase Outlaw (88.5) round out the Top 5 in the average.

It was another difficult night for the Top 35 riders after following up Friday's meager total of six qualified rides with only nine more Saturday night.

However, Mauney continues his late-season surge.

In recent weeks, Mauney, who has twice finished second in the world standings and is still looking for his first world title, has talked about his highlights coming in "spurts" and the key to success down the stretch being consistency.

It's worth noting the Mooresville, N.C., native didn't win a single event in the first part of the season, but has been at his best since returning from a nearly three-month long summer break.

He's now ridden seven of his last eight bulls in the past three events, and 11-of-16 since the break, to move closer to the second position in the standings.

Mauney moved from fourth to third on Friday night and will likely be the second-ranked rider in the world on Sunday night after Marco Eguchi came down for the second time in as many days.

"Nah, it don't mean (anything)," said Mauney, who added there are a lot of bulls between now and the end of the World Finals. "You still have to ride your bulls."

Silvano Alves was able to attempt his bonus bull (Great White) despite sustaining a bruised right knee when he was mashed in the chute.

Earlier in the night, Alves, who is trying to accomplish the unthinkable by winning a third consecutive gold buckle, did what he needed to do in order to hold onto his No. 1 ranking by riding Nefarious for 85.25 points in Round 2 after being bucked off during the opening round Friday.

According to Dr. Tandy Freeman, Nathan Schaper sustained a concussion when he was kicked in the back of the head after being thrown from his second-round bull. He is questionable for Round 3.

Prior to tonight's competition, 2009 World Champion Kody Lostroh returned home to Colorado to be with family and friends, who are contending with massive flooding.

Follow Keith Ryan Cartwright on Twitter @PBR_KRC.

Professional Bull Riders Built Ford Tough Series
PFIWestern.com Invitational
JQH Arena, Springfield, Mo. 
Event Leaders (Round 1-Round 2-Event Points) 

1. J.B. Mauney, 87.25-90.75-178.00 points.
2. L.J. Jenkins, 86.25-87.5-173.75 points.
3. Claudio Crisostomo, 77.75-79.25-157.00 points.
4. Billy Robinson, 0-88.75-88.75 points.
5. Chase Outlaw, 0-88.5-88.50 points.
6. Jory Markiss, 0-88.25-88.25 points.
7. Silvano Alves, 0-85.25-85.25 points.
8. Stormy Wing, 83.5-0-83.50 points.
9. Renato Nunes, 82-0-82.00 points.
10. Eduardo Aparecido, 0-75.75-75.75 points.
11. Ryan Dirteater, 71.5-0-71.50 points.
12. Guilherme Marchi, 0-68-68.00 points.
Agnaldo Cardozo, 0-0-0.00 points.
Austin Meier, 0-0-0.00 points.
Ben Jones, 0-0-0.00 points.
Brant Atwood, 0-0-0.00 points.
Brendon Clark, 0-0-0.00 points.
Cody Nance, 0-0-0.00 points.
Douglas Duncan, 0-0-0.00 points.
Edevaldo Ferreira, 0-0-0.00 points.
Emilio Resende, 0-0-0.00 points.
Gage Gay, 0-0-0.00 points.
H.D. Coleman, 0-0-0.00 points.
Jared Farley, 0-0-0.00 points.
Joao Ricardo Vieira, 0-0-0.00 points.
Jordan Hupp, 0-0-0.00 points.
Kody Lostroh, 0-0-0.00 points.
Lachlan Richardson, 0-0-0.00 points.
Luke Snyder, 0-0-0.00 points.
Marco Eguchi, 0-0-0.00 points.
Mike Lee, 0-0-0.00 points.
Nathan Schaper, 0-0-0.00 points.
Sean Willingham, 0-0-0.00 points.
Shane Proctor, 0-0-0.00 points.
Stetson Lawrence, 0-0-0.00 points.
Valdiron de Oliveira, 0-0-0.00 points.
Zane Cook, 0-0-0.00 points.