Texas Rattlers: 87.75 / Kansas City Outlaws: 85.25

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Texas Rattlers, presented by Ariat, upset the Kansas City Outlaws Friday evening during the opening night of PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series competition in Oklahoma City, besting them by a slim 2.5 points to earn their second consecutive victory.

With both teams blanked in the first, Cole Melancon (Sour Lake, Texas) was ready to score first for the Outlaws, while Daniel Keeping (Gorman, Texas) was in the second slot for the Rattlers. Melancon failed to reach the 8, bested by Hunter (Dozier Cattle Co./Martinez Bucking Bulls) in a quick 2.41 seconds, opening the door for the Rattlers to jump to an early lead. Seizing the moment, Keeping rode Flatliner (Frontier Rodeo Company) for a game-best 87.75 points to give Texas a one-bull lead entering the third.

Not silenced for long, the Outlaws converted in the top of the frame as Rafael Henrique dos Santos (Sebastianopolis, Brazil) rode New Grounds (Frontier Rodeo Company) for 85.25 points to put his team within 2.5 points of the lead. Unable to respond, the Rattlers’ Ednei Caminhas (Indaiatuba, Brazil) was bucked off in a heartbreaking 7.1 seconds by Siroucho (Dozier Cattle Co./Martinez Bucking Bulls).

The scoreboard remained unchanged in the fourth, setting up a high-pressure fifth to punctuate the game. In a must-ride position to open the frame, Kansas City’s first-round draft pick Dalton Kasel (Muleshoe, Texas) was tasked with Hostage (Hale/Wood/Ogden) by Head Coach J.W. Hart. Despite a rocky trip, Kasel was initially ruled to have made the 8 as the electric crowd erupted in cheer. The Rattlers coaching staff thought differently, using their challenge to send the out into review. In a decision that paid dividends, Kasel was ruled to have slapped the powerful animal athlete at the 3.24-second mark.

The Outlaws weren’t done, though. During the second look, the Outlaws were awarded a re-ride when it was decided the bull made contact with the fence, causing Kasel to touch him.

With the chance to clinch the win even though the Outlaws had one attempt left, Joao Ricardo Vieira (Itatinga, Brazil) was unable to capitalize for the Rattlers, brought down in 6.21 seconds by Canadian-born bull Norse God (Jane Clark/Gene Owen). Kasel was then in the position to win the game in walk-off form for the Outlaws as he climbed atop re-ride draw Skippy (Skippy & Linda Johnson/Jaynes Gang/Hookin’ W Ranch). With the crowd brought to the edge of its seat, Kasel was quickly whipped to the ground in 3.06 seconds, delivering the victory to the Rattlers, 87.75-85.25.

The Rattlers are now 6-11 during PBR Team Series competition in 2022 and will chase their third consecutive win Saturday evening when they play host Oklahoma Freedom (9-8) in bull riding’s version of the Red River Showdown. The Kansas City Outlaws, who slipped to 7-10 on the season, will look to snap a two-game losing streak when they play the league No. 1 Carolina Cowboys (11-6) during the second evening of games for PBR Freedom Fest.

Fans can relive the showdown between the Oklahoma Freedom and Austin Gamblers as the CBS Game of the Week from PBR Freedom Fest. CBS Television Network will air the game Saturday, Sept. 17 at 1 p.m. ET.

PBR Freedom Fest continues Saturday, Sept. 17 at 6:45 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.