Nashville Stampede: 261 / Oklahoma Freedom: 159.75

GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Nashville Stampede made three qualified rides count on Saturday night in upsetting the Oklahoma Freedom, 261-159.75, on night two of the final regular-season event of the 2022 PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series season in Glendale, Arizona.

The Stampede have won consecutive games for the first time this season. Heading into Championship Sunday undefeated, the team has a chance to claim their first event victory.

Leading off for Oklahoma on Saturday night, Eli Vastbinder (Statesville, North Carolina) was the first to attempt to redeem the team after its Friday night loss. His ride aboard a discombobulated Dr. Cool (Mann Creek Buck N’ Bulls) delivered a less-than-ideal 73.5-point score, putting the Freedom on the board first. “Mr. 300” became “Mr. 301” as Kaique Pacheco (Itatiba, Brazil) fired from the chutes aboard First Down (Platinum Bull Company), putting Nashville in the lead with his 83.5-point qualified ride.

At the top of the second, rookie Tate Pollmeier (Ft. Scott, Kansas) repeated his Friday night success after conquering Blunt Force Trauma (Hadley Cattle Co) to put 86.25 points up for Oklahoma. Nashville’s Thiago Salgado (Navira, Brazil) was unable to answer back.

After scoreless third and fourth frames, Oklahoma was in the lead, 159.75-83.5, as closer Derek Kolbaba (Walla Walla, Washington) stood calmly on the back of the chutes, preparing for his trip aboard Rodeo Thug (Platinum Bull Company/ Garcia Rodeo Bulls). He was tossed aside at 4.67 seconds. Oklahoma was out of rides while Nashville had two remaining.

Three-time PBR World Champion Silvano Alves (Pilar do Sul, Brazil) needed a 76.25-point score for Nashville to answer back. Re-ride flags flew through the air during his ride aboard 4B Special (4B Bucking Bulls), so the three-time World Champion climbed back upon the chutes to ready to ride Mr. Winston (Dakota Rode/ Mark Baker/ Clay Stuve/ Chad Berger).

With a re-ride that was awarded in the third frame, Nashville’s Cladson Rodolfo (Pilar do Sul, Brazil), the 2021 PBR Brazilian Champion, had his entire team in a roar as he conquered Safety Meeting (Hruby/ Kainz/ Clay Struve/Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger). His 89-point score put Nashville in the lead 172.50-159.75 and, with Oklahoma out of rides, sealed the win.

As the last out of the game, Alves shattered his own buckoff streak when he rode Mr. Winston to the tune of 88.5 points.

The resurgent Nashville Stampede, who arrived in Arizona in the last-place seed in the standings, will try to win three games in a row on Sunday, Oct. 16 when they go up against the Carolina Cowboys (0-2 | 14-13). The Oklahoma Freedom will look to rebound during the third round of games when they play the Kansas City Outlaws (0-2 | 12-15).

PBR’s Ridge Rider Days continues Sunday, October 16 at 1:45 p.m. MST. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com and PBR.com, at the Desert Diamond Arena (formerly Gila River Arena) 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 Glendale. Check https://pluto.tv/en/live-tv/pbr-ridepass for the latest programming schedule.