LAS VEGAS – Sure, Phill Collins was the original talent to feel it coming in the air that night, but that was 1981.

And it was a different feeling.

Here in 2023, PBR is doing things a bit differently when it comes to competitive bull riding, now embracing the thrills of the 5-on-5 format as year two of the PBR Camping World Team Series prepares to conclude its postseason inside T-Mobile Arena Oct. 21-22.

But if you ask Missouri Thunder Head Coach Ross Coleman if he could sense something brewing inside the No. 8 seed’s locker room during this weekend’s playoff action … well, he’s not going to hold it back.

Especially just moments after upsetting the No. 6 Carolina Cowboys and No. 7 Nashville Stampede during the tournament’s first Last Chance Game.

“Absolutely, we feel it. Felipe (Furlan) rode that first bull and that just lit a spark underneath everybody,” Coleman shared.

“Best part is that we were in that first game and we lost that game. We knew we were losing no matter what, so we subbed in Felipe for Briggs (Madsen), which was a great move by Luke (Snyder). When he did that, Felipe was fired up and happy about it. He ran in there and would’ve rode any bull. He had a damn good ride and I’m just proud of his spirit.”

While Missouri ultimately came up one ride short during their first chance to advance, dropping a 174-84.5 final the No. 3 Texas Rattlers in Game 3, they had about 20 minutes to press the reset button after the loss while preparing to lay it all on the line during the head-to-head-to-head redemption round.

A high-pressure situation for any rider.

Soaring on the adrenaline of his Game 3 conversion, Furlan, who wasn’t even originally scheduled to compete for the Thunder Friday, wasn’t done yet.

After serving as the team’s substitute closer during their first battle in the chutes, Furlan received another chance to shine within the Last Change Game, this time in the No. 2 spot.

Seeing team captain Andrew Alvidrez hit the dirt in 5.19 seconds, he knew what he had to do.

“It’s kind of like going to the practice pen and getting a solid ride underneath you before you go to the big show. But it was back-to-back, just warmed him up,” Coleman added.

“Then he really rode a bucker in the second game. He wasn’t very high points in either of the scores, but I’ll tell you what, that was a high-level, pro bull and he was bucking hard and doing some wild stuff. It made everybody very focused and happy and Felipe just really brought a spark to the whole team.”

As the only competitor heading into Saturday’s second round with a perfect 2-for-2 record, there’s no reason to believe Furlan has run out of magic just yet.

Entering the postseason with a 4-for-24 regular-season effort during his rookie campaign, Furlan had essentially been contributing from the shadows, technically just 2-for-24 since going 2-for-3 in Kansas City, Missouri, earlier this season.

Selecting Kade Madsen with its No. 4 overall selection during the 2023 PBR Teams Draft in Fort Worth, Texas, the Thunder have relied on the first-year athlete to lead the way during his inaugural trip around the circuit. Figuring things out along the way, eventually ending the regular season with an 8-for-26 record, he’s done his fair share of stepping up for the team.

Including Friday night, when he bested a revered bovine to help secure his team a victory in the weekend’s first Last Chance Game.

“Every one of the guys on this team are seriously so talented. The guys are so gifted with not only great talent, but the cowboy effort that Felipe put out there made everybody sit up. Then we saw Kade ride that big black bull, Chiseled, and that is another high-level, professional bull. Has been for many years,” Coleman said.

“When Kade rode that bull, and it was a close call, I’m glad Luke threw the flag. Again, thanks to Luke. He had a great night today and was being a great coach like he is. When Kade rode that big black bull around, it was another spark. There’s a good little vibe going around here today. It’s good to see Kade and Briggs and all of these boys from Brazil come together as one.”

As to whether or not seeing his team pull out the win (en route to securing the organization’s first-ever postseason victory, now 1-2 all-time) was a surprise to the former competitor himself?

“Not even a little bit. These guys can do whatever they want to. We can get all juiced up, and I’ve been up and down at times with them. I’ll get pumped up and fired up and then I’ll be pissed off sometimes too, but I’ll tell you what, they’re doing all of the hard work,” Coleman continued.

“When they’re at home, they put in the work. At the gym, at the arena, at the practice pen. They’re great young men and they’re starting to be real good cowboys too. Good talent, but were learning that cowboy try, so it’s coming.”

Heading into a looming Saturday night showdown with the No. 1 Austin Gamblers, who enjoyed a night off Friday, courtesy of earning a first-round bye, they’ll need all of the talent, skill, luck and rides they can get, as 2023 MVP Jose Vitor Leme and company look to avenge last year’s early exit.

“Just go ahead and take care of business with this draw tonight. We’ve got a bunch of really good bulls set already,” skip concluded.

“Just keep the ball rolling. Don’t even worry about what Austin’s doing. Take care of our business and we’ll be just fine.”

Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media