Nashville Stampede: 256.25 / Austin Gamblers: 0

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Nashville Stampede rebounded in resilient fashion Saturday evening during the second night of competition for the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series’ Freedom Fest, outscoring the Austin Gamblers by three rides to earn an upset victory, 256.25-0.

Following a scoreless first, Joao Henrique Lucas (Bastos, Brazil) readied to ride second for the Stampede, while Austin Richardson (Dallas, Texas) was up for the Gamblers. Lucas was the first to strike, converting in the top of the frame when he covered Valiente (Nothin’ But Try Ranch/Kinser/McCall) for 82.75 points. The Gamblers were unable to answer, as Richardson was tossed in a quick 2.43 seconds by Fajita (Nothin’ But Try Ranch/’Diggers Bucking Bulls), leading the Stampede to begin the third with an 82.75-point lead.

Riding for the first time in front of his home state since unretiring to compete in the PBR Team Series, 12-time PBR World Finals qualifier Ryan Dirteater (Hulbert, Oklahoma) expanded the Stampede lead to 169.75 points in the top of the third when he covered Napoleon (Sho-Me Rodeo/Austin) for a game-best 87 points.

The Gamblers were again blanked in the third, unable to respond when Dakota Louis (Browning, Montana) was upended by Mule Train (Martinez/Porter Cattle Co.) in a close 6.08 seconds. In the top of the fourth, Matt Triplett (Canton, South Dakota) had the chance to clinch the win for the Stampede early but was slammed down hard before the whistle by Razzmatazz (M Rafter E/High View Cattle).

Despite the renewed chance at a potential come-from-behind win, the Gamblers were still in a must-ride position in the bottom of the frame, needing to convert in their final two outs to surpass Nashville. Lucas Divino (Nova Crixas, Brazil) was unable to deliver for Austin, handing Nashville the win when he was sent to the dirt at the 4.99-second mark by Otis (M Rafter E/High View Cattle).

With the win secured, the Stampede added to their margin of victory in the top of the fifth as three-time PBR World Champion Silvano Alves (Pilar do Sul, Brazil) rode Uncle Gangster (Pick-It Hammers) for 86.5 points. When the dust settled after the Gamblers’ closer Ramon de Lima (Rio Branco, Brazil) was unable to prevent his team from suffering a scoreless defeat, the Stampede earned their fifth win of the season, 256.25-0.

The Stampede are now 1-1 at PBR Freedom Fest and 5-13 this season. They will seek their second straight win in Oklahoma on Sunday, Sept. 18, when they play the Arizona Ridge Riders (1-1 | 11-7). The streaky Gamblers are now 0-2 in Oklahoma and fell to 10-8 during the 2022 season, dropping from No. 2 to No. 3 in the league standings. The Michael Gaffney-led team will attempt to rebound on the final day of PBR Team Series competition in Oklahoma City when they play the Texas Rattlers, presented by Ariat, (1-1 | 6-12) in an all-Lone Star State showdown.

PBR Freedom Fest concludes Sunday, Sept. 18, at 1:45 p.m. CT. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com and PBR.com, at the Paycom Center Box Office, or by calling PBR customer service at 1-800-732-1727.

PBR RidePass on Pluto TV will offer replays of all the PBR Team Series action from Oklahoma City. Check https://pluto.tv/en/live-tv/pbr-ridepass for the latest programming schedule.