LAS VEGAS – The Missouri Thunder’s shocking run in the 2023 PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Teams Championship continued inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Saturday night, as the league’s No. 8-ranked team again stunned in the Last Chance Game to keep their title hopes alive courtesy of a pair of mammoth 90-point rides, while the No. 1 Austin Gamblers rode to a walk-off win, advancing to the Semifinals of the tournament outright alongside the No. 3 Texas Rattlers and No. 5 Arizona Ridge Riders.

Arguably the most exciting two-team game of the night was the David vs. Goliath showdown between the Thunder, who advanced via the Last Chance Game on Friday night in upset form, eliminating the No. 6 Carolina Cowboys and No. 7 Nashville Stampede. With the game coming down to the final out, the Gamblers earned the team’s first postseason win in walk-off form courtesy of a fifth-frame score from closer Jose Vitor Leme.

While Missouri began the game hot, riding two of their first three bulls, including Captain Andrew Alvidrez covering Dana White’s Twisted Steel, the prized animal athlete of UFC President Dana White, it was not enough to clinch the game win early. As a result, it opened the door for closer Leme to walk off the win for the Gamblers.

Rising to the occasion, Leme, who needed a score of 86.25 points or more to cement the victory, repeated his past success atop WSM’s Sun Country, marked a commanding 89 points to win the game for Austin by 3 points, with the final scoreboard reading a 177.75-174.75 Gamblers victory.

The win advanced Austin to the Semifinals of the 2023 PBR Teams Championship, while Missouri readied to go to work in the Last Chance Game for the second consecutive night of play.

The Texas Rattlers were the first team to punch their ticket to the tournament’s Semifinals, registering their fifth consecutive game win when they beat the Oklahoma Freedom in bull riding’s version of the Red River Showdown.

The Rattlers jumped to an early lead in the first via a crucial early score from Joao Ricardo Vieira. However, as quickly as they took the lead, they were overtaken by Oklahoma in the second by 2.5 points compliments of an 8-second effort from the Freedom’s Casey Roberts. Following four consecutive buckoffs, two per team, the Rattlers logged what would be the game-winning score in the bottom of the fourth. Via an 86.25-point ride from Eli Vastbinder aboard Lone Star, the Rattlers pulled ahead by 83.75 points to put Oklahoma in a must-ride position in the top of the fifth.

The Freedom failed to keep their hopes of victory alive when closer Caden Bunch was tossed by The Maverick. When the dust settled, the Rattlers won 170.75-87, advancing to the PBR Teams Championship Semifinals for the second consecutive season.

As game play continued, the No. 5 Arizona Ridge Riders earned the second berth to the Semifinals as they upset the No. 2 Kansas City Outlaws by one ride score, ending the Missouri team’s six-game win streak.

Arizona jumped to an early 160.25-point lead as both Chase Dougherty and Eduardo Aparecido made the 8, coupled with back-to-back buckoffs for Kansas City. After both teams bucked off in the third, Arizona had the chance to clinch the game win early in the top of the fourth as Luciano De Castro took on two-time and reigning YETI World Champion Bull Ridin’ Solo.

While Castro was initially awarded a score in arena, Kansas City challenged, believing Castro slapped the bull. Upon review, PBR’s officials discovered a slap, reversing the call for a Ridge Rider score. But the drama did not stop there as the Ridge Riders threw their flag, believing the bull stumbled, fouling himself and causing the slap, a notion PBR’s officials agreed with upon closer inspection, with the out ultimately ending in a re-ride for Arizona.

With a renewed shot at victory, Kansas City faced a must-ride position in the bottom of the fourth. 2022 PBR Rookie of the Year Bob Mitchell, however, was unable to rise to the occasion for the Outlaws, bested before the whistle by Kid Knapper to cement the win for Arizona. While Cassio Dias prevented a shutout for Kansas City, it was not enough to reverse his team’s fortunes, with the Ridge Riders winning the showdown by 73.5 points, defeating the Outlaws 160.25-86.75.

The evening then ended with the second Last Chance Game, featuring the No. 2 Kansas City Outlaws, No. 4 Oklahoma Freedom and No. 8 Missouri Thunder.

While the three-way showdown came down to the final outs, it was a pair of mammoth 90-point rides from Missouri’s Felipe Furlan and Kade Madsen which proved enough to carry them to victory, ultimately upsetting both Kansas City and Oklahoma eliminating them from the season-ending event.

The 2023 PBR Teams Championship concludes Sunday, October 22 at 12:45 p.m. PT when this season’s Champion will be crowned. The event will begin with the following two games, with the winner’s advancing to the Championship Game and the loser’s the Third-Place Game:

No. 1 Austin Gamblers vs. No. 8 Missouri Thunder No. 3 Texas Rattlers vs. No. 5 Arizona Ridge Riders Third-Place Game (Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser) Championship Game (Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner)

PBR RidePass on Pluto TV will offer replays of all the 2023 PBR Camping World Teams Championship action from Las Vegas. Check https://pluto.tv/en/live-tv/pbr-ridepass for the latest programming schedule.

SCORE BULLETINS

Texas Rattlers Advance to the Semifinals of the 2023 PBR Teams Championship Via Fifth Consecutive Game Win, Defeating the Oklahoma Freedom by One Ride Score

Oklahoma Freedom: 87 Texas Rattlers: 170.75

The regular-season No. 3 Texas Rattlers continued to ride red hot Saturday evening inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, logging their fifth consecutive game win via a one ride score defeat of the No. 4 Oklahoma Freedom to advance to the Semifinals of the 2023 PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Teams Championship.

As bull riding’s version of the Red River Showdown got underway, Oklahoma opened the game, pairing Elizmar Jeremias (Anapu, Brazil). After struggling in the chutes atop Exodus (Jane Clark/Gene Owen), Jeremias was put on the clock.

Nodding with just seven seconds remaining, Jeremias initially appeared centered, but was ultimately unseated at the 6.35-second mark, resulting in no score for the Freedom. In the bottom of the first, the Rattlers made their presence known. Veteran Joao Ricardo Vieira (Itatinga, Brazil) dominated a high-flying Kodiac (Blake Sharp/UB Buckin' Company), giving Texas an early 84.5-poitn lead. Oklahoma, however, wouldn’t remain shutout for long.

In the top of the second, Casey Roberts (Munford, Alabama) quickly answered the Texas score, putting Oklahoma ahead by 2.5 points as he rode Smooth Over It (Shuler Bucking Bulls) for 87 points.

Keen to reclaim the lead, the Rattlers looked to Brady Oleson (Blackfoot, Idaho) in the bottom of the second. Despite nodding with confidence on Boo Ray (D&H Cattle Company), Oleson hit the ground prior to the whistle, thrust to the arena floor inside T-Mobile Arena in 2.74 seconds.

The scoreboard then went unchanged through the third as Grayson Cole (New Ringgold, Pennsylvania) was tossed for Oklahoma, and Brady Fielder (Clermont, Queensland, Australia) came down prior to the 8 for Texas. The fourth then began with dramatics.

While Roscoe Jarboe (New Plymouth, Idaho) was initially called for a buckoff atop Buffalo Heifer (Sterk/Ogden/Hart Cattle Co.) at the 3.25-second mark, Oklahoma Freedom coaches Cord McCoy and Kody Lostroh quickly threw their challenge flag believing the bull fouled himself and caused the no score, a contention rejected by PBR’s officials, keeping the no score in place and leaving the Freedom without a challenge for the remainder of the game.

In the bottom of the penultimate round of outs, Texas reclaimed the lead. Courtesy of Eli Vastbinder’s (Statesville, North Carolina) 86.25-point ride atop Lone Star (Diamond Bar/L&B) the Rattlers surged to the top of the scoreboard by 83.75 points. The score put Oklahoma in a must-ride position in the top of the fifth. In the crucial out was Caden Bunch (Tahlequah, Oklahoma) tasked with The Maverick (McCoy Rodeo/World Deer Expo/RL Cody Cattle Company).

Erupting from the chutes, Bunch came down quick, hitting the dirt in 2.9 seconds, delivering the win to Texas. With the win in hand, the Rattlers looked to add to their margin of victory, but closer Daniel Keeping (Montague, Texas) was unable to get past Smooth Steel (Flying C/Tom Baker/SPR Scott Palmer Racing), bested in 1.69 seconds. When the dust settled, Texas defeated Oklahoma 170.75-87.

Via the win, the Texas Rattlers became the first team to punch their ticket to the Semifinals of the 2023 PBR Teams Championship, with their next opponent to be determined via the Last Chance Game, while the Oklahoma Freedom returned to the lockeroom to prepare for the second Last Chance Game.

No. 5 Arizona Ridge Riders Upset No. 2 Kansas City Outlaws by One Ride Score, Ending Their Rivals Six-Game Win Streak to Advance to the Semifinals of the 2023 PBR Teams Championship

Arizona Ridge Riders: 160.25 Kansas City Outlaws: 86.75

The No. 5 Arizona Ridge Riders rode supreme Saturday night in Las Vegas, earning the second berth to the 2023 PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Teams Championship Semifinals as they upset the No. 2 Kansas City Outlaws by one ride score, snapping their opponent’s six-game win streak.

The game began in gritty form. Clinging to the side of Bison (JD Nix Rodeo Co.), the Arizona Ridge Riders’ Chase Dougherty (Decatur, Texas) refused to come down prior to the 8, desperately hanging off the bull to the whistle for 76.5 points to give his team an early lead.

In the bottom of the first, Kansas City turned to Sandro Batista (Pedra Preta, Brazil) to deliver the Outlaws’ first points, tasked with YETI World Champion Bull contender UTZ BesTex Legend (Blake Sharp/Chris Utz/Carey Brothers). After difficulties in the chute, Batista nodded, but he proved no match for his high-flying animal athlete opponent, quickly unseated in 3.51 seconds.

As the second began, Eduardo Aparecido (Gouvelandia, Brazil) continued to be the top performer for Arizona in the post season. The veteran Brazilian improved to a perfect 6-for-6 in PBR Teams Championship competition, riding Savage Love (Farris Cattle/Big Schott Rodeo) for 83.75 points while also growing Arizona’s lead to 160.25 points. In the bottom of the second, Kansas City continued to struggle, remaining scoreless as Kyler Oliver (Roy, Utah) was upended in 2.29 seconds by Almost Sober (Wacey Hart/Plummer).

In the top of the third, Arizona’s quest for the team’s second perfect game ended abruptly, when Leandro Machado (Nova Esperança, Brazil) was hurtled to the ground in 2.34 seconds by Hell Storm (Julio Moreno/Bar CB). Kansas City was keen to capitalize on Arizona’s buckoff as Leonardo Castro Ferreira (Cassilandia, Brazil) settled in atop High Plains Drifter (Flying C/Tom Baker/SPR Scott Palmer Racing). Ferriera initially appeared centered, but was jerked back mid-out, ultimately bucked off at the 4.69-second mark.

With Arizona ahead by two ride scores, and Kansas City having bucked off their first three draws, the Ridge Riders had the chance to clinch the game win early in the top of the fourth. In the critical out was Luciano De Castro (Guzolandia, Brazil) aboard two-time and reigning YETI World Champion Bull Ridin’ Solo (Bill McCarty/McCoy Rodeo).

In what initially proved to be a perfect pairing, Castro matched the powerful animal athlete jump-for-jump, reaching the requisite 8 as the Ridge Rider bench erupted in cheer. The celebration was cut short as the Outlaws used their challenge, believing Castro had slapped Ridin’ Solo during the trip. Upon review, PBR’s officials agreed Castro made contact with the bull prior to the 8, resulting in no score.

Following the call, Ridge Rider Co-Coach Colby Yates threw his team’s challenge flag believing the bull stumbled, resulting in the slap and subsequent no score. Once again watching the tape back, PBR’s officials discovered a foul, which resulted in the slap, awarding Arizona a re-ride. While Arizona didn’t clinch the game win early, Kansas City found themselves in a must-ride position in the bottom of the fourth.

In the high-pressure out for the Outlaws was 2022 PBR Rookie of the Year Bob Mitchell (Steelville, Missouri) on Kid Knapper (Phillips/Cooper/Scruggs Bucking Bulls). While Mitchell nodded with confidence, he was swiftly unseated by the bull, coming down in a quick 2.73 seconds. As quick as Mitchell bucked off, the Outlaws again threw their challenge flag, believing the bull fouled himself.

PBR’s officials disagreed, with Kansas City losing their challenge and the game via the buckoff. With the win in hand, Arizona’s closer Keyshawn Whitehorse (McCracken Spring, Utah) was unable to add to his team’s total, dispatched in 3.42 seconds by Miller Time (A&E Bucking Bulls/BS Cattle Co.).

In their final out of the game, the Outlaws’ closer Cassio Dias (São F. de Sales, Brazil) prevented a Kansas City shutout as he rode War Daddy (TNT Bucking Bulls/Hart Cattle Co.) for a game-best 86.75 points. While the score diminished Arizona’s lead to 73.5 points, it did not reverse Kansas City’s loss.

The final out of the game featured Arizona’s re-ride as Castro returned to the chutes, taking on Cliff Hanger (Pioneer Bulls/McCoy Rodeo). While Castro was upset just short of the whistle, at the 7.62-second mark, Arizona had already won, with the final scoreboard reading a 73.5-point Ridge Rider victory, 160.25-86.75.

For the second consecutive season the Arizona Ridge Riders advanced to the Semifinals of the PBR Teams Championship, with their next opponent to be determined via the Last Chance Game. While Arizona celebrated, Kansas City returned to the lockeroom, shifting their focus to the second Last Chance Game as they looked to keep their Championship hopes alive.

No. 1 Austin Gamblers Defeat a Resurgent No. 8 Missouri Thunder in Walk-Off Form to Advance to the Semifinals of the 2023 PBR Teams Championship

Missouri Thunder: 174.75 Austin Gamblers:  177.75

The league No. 1 Austin Gamblers advanced to the team’s first PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Teams Championship Semifinal Saturday evening in Las Vegas, defeating a resurgent No. 8 Missouri Thunder in walk-off form, courtesy of a game-high score from closer Jose Vitor Leme (Ribas do Rio Pardo, Brazil) in the bottom of the fifth.

Less than 24 hours after winning the tournament’s first Last Chance Game in upset fashion, the Missouri Thunder’s momentum continued to roll. Young gun Kade Madsen (Honeyville, Utah) gave the Thunder an early 86.75-point lead as he dominated Pickle Moonshine (Shuler Bucking Bulls).

In the bottom of the first, Austin stumbled in their first out of the PBR Teams Championship, as opener Dalton Kasel (Muleshoe, Texas) was upended in 5.09 seconds by John 14:6 (Jenkins Cattle Co./CIL Cattle). While Missouri was unable to add to their lead in the top of the second, they were awarded a re-ride after Doze You Down (Dozier Cattle Co./Martinez Bucking Bulls) fouled himself during his out with Felipe Furlan (Sales Oliveira, Brazil), who was a perfect 2-for-2 for the Thunder on the opening night of the post-season event. Austin righted their momentum in the team’s second out, overtaking the lead in the bottom of the frame by 2 points as Rafael dos Santos (Quitman, Georgia) rode Trump Train (Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger) for 88.75 points.

Missouri then delivered one of the evening’s most memorable rides in the top of the third as Captain Andrew Alvidrez (Seminole, Texas) took on Dana White’s Twisted Steel (Dana White/DD Bucking Bulls), the bovine athlete owned by his namesake and UFC President Dana White. Becoming just the third rider in 32 outs on record to reach the whistle, Alvidrez made the requisite 8 with ease, awarded 88 points, to give Missouri back the lead by 86 points.

With the electric energy at their back, Austin failed to log a second consecutive score and lessen Missouri’s lead as Lucas Divino (Nova Crixas, Brazil) was bucked off by Night Hawk (Logan Clancey/Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger) in 3.5 seconds.

After the scoreboard went unchanged through the fourth, with Missouri also being bucked off in their re-ride attempt, both teams faced a high-pressure fifth frame. As the final round of outs began, Missouri had the chance to clinch upset win early as Briggs Madsen (Tremonton, Utah) settled in aboard Time Bomb (Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger/Mark Baker).

While Madsen appeared to be in qualified ride form, he was brought down in a heart-breaking 7.5 seconds, opening the door for Austin to win the game in walk-off form. In the high-pressure out was Gamblers closer and two-time PBR World Champion Leme, facing a rematch with WSM’s Sun Country (WSM Auctioneers/Clay Struve/Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger), a bull he rode for a monstrous 92.5 points at a Touring Pro Division event in August 2019.

In a near picture of perfection, Leme remained poised aboard the fast-spinning animal athlete, making the 8 as the crowd erupted in raucous cheer. Awarded a game-best 89 points, Leme carried his team to a 3-point, walk-off win as the final scoreboard read a 177.75-174.75 Gamblers win.

Austin’s first game win in the post season clinched the final outright berth to the 2023 PBR Teams Championship Semifinals, with their next opponent to be determined via the Last Chance Game. Via the loss, for the second consecutive night, the Missouri Thunder’s hopes of a Championship would be determined in the Last Chance Game.

No. 8 Missouri Thunder Deliver Two Mammoth 90-Point Rides to Repeat as Upset Last Chance Game Winners at 2023 PBR Teams Championship, Advancing to the Semifinals and Eliminating the No. 2 Kansas City Outlaws and No. 4 Oklahoma Freedom

Oklahoma Freedom: 176.5 Kanas City Outlaws: 178.75 Missouri Thunder: 180

In the second Last Chance Game of the 2023 PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Teams Championship, the league’s regular-season No. 8 Missouri Thunder delivered their second stunning win in as many nights, knocking off the No. 2 Kansas City Outlaws and No. 4 Oklahoma Freedom to remain in the hunt for the season’s championship, advancing to the first Semifinal in the team’s history.

The second Last Chance Game featured the losing teams from the three prior games. As the top scoring team in the aggregate, Missouri earned the first pick of the pens, followed by Oklahoma earning the second selection and Kansas City the third. Via their game performances, Kansas City would lead-off each frame, followed by Oklahoma then Missouri.

The opening frame of the three-team game featured the tournament’s first 90-point rides. In the lead-off role for Kansas City, Wingson Henrique da Silva (Naviraí, Brazil) rode lights out, dominating Flyin Wired (Tommy Julian/BS Cattle Co.) for a 2023 league-best and monstrous 92.5 points to give the Outlaws an early lead.

In the next out, Oklahoma was unable to keep pace, failing to add points to the board when Casey Roberts (Munford, Alabama) was hurtled to the ground in 2.77 seconds by the unridden Erik The Red (Tommy Julian/Craig Moore/D&H Cattle). Much like their instate rival, the Missouri Thunder also made a statement in their first out of the Last Chance Game.

Felipe Furlan (Sales Oliveira, Brazil) logged his third ride of the post season for the Thunder, teaming with Flapjack (Parker/OK Corralis/Gordon/D&H Cattle) for a mammoth 90 points, to inch within 2.5 points of the game lead.

As the second frame got underway, the Outlaws’ early momentum came to a halt, unable to grow their lead as 2023 PBR Teams MVP runner-up Cassio Dias (São F. de Sales, Brazil) was tossed in 5.25 seconds by Blown Away (Nothin' But Try Ranch/Diggers/Kinser/McCall).

While Kansas City coaches J.W. Hart and Guilherme Marchi challenged the call, believing the bull fouled himself, PBR’s officials disagreed, with the no score remaining in place and the Outlaws losing their challenge for the remainder of the game. The Freedom delivered in the second, posting their first points of the game when young gun Caden Bunch (Tahlequah, Oklahoma) rode Huckleberry (Blake Sharp/UB Buckin' Company) for 89 points.

The 8-second effort pulled Oklahoma within 1 point of Missouri and 3.5 points of game-leading Kansas City. Missouri then looked to Paulo Eduardo Rosseto (Colorado, Brazil) aboard Hunting Trip (Dozier Cattle Co./Martinez Bucking Bulls) to give them their first lead, but he was unable to rise to the occasion, brought down in 4.68 seconds.

With each team having one score on the board, a crucial third-frame out awaited each squad, but none found the 8 as Sandro Batista (Pedra Preta, Brazil) was bucked off for Kansas City, Alex Cerqueira (Iguatemi, Brazil) was tossed for Oklahoma and Captain Andrew Alvidrez (Seminole, Texas) came up short for Missouri.

In the top of the fourth, Kansas City grew their lead to 88.75 points over second-place Missouri as Koltin Hevalow (Smithville, Missouri) rode Hunted Down (Martinez Bucking Bulls, LLC) for a much-needed 86.25 points. In the next out, Oklahoma could not right their team’s momentum as veteran Trevor Reiste (Linden, Iowa) was whipped to the ground in 1.52 seconds by High Times (Ty Rinaldo TZ Bucking Bulls).

Missouri roared back to life in the bottom of the fourth, taking over the game’s lead for the first time in the three-team showdown. Young gun Kade Madsen (Honeyville, Utah) delivered his team’s second 90-point ride of the game, covering No Cigar (D&H Cattle Co./Payson Parker) for 90 points, to propel the Thunder 1.25 points ahead of new second-place Kansas City.

Now trailing, the Outlaws faced a must-ride situation in the top of the fifth as Julio Cesar Marques (Tatui, Brazil) settled in aboard Crazy Times (Hart Cattle Co./Randy Wood). The reserved Brazilian, however, couldn’t deliver for his team, bucked off in a heart-breaking 6.01 seconds.

The no-score eliminated the Outlaws from Championship contention. The tournament’s second Last Chance Game then came down to Oklahoma’s closer Elizmar Jeremias (Anapu, Brazil) on Double R Hat House Pepper Shaker (Cooper/Scruggs Bucking Bulls), needing a score of 91.25 points or more to keep his team in the hunt for a Semifinals berth.

While Jeremias reached the whistle, he was awarded just 87.5 points. The score was not enough to give the Freedom the lead, with the team eliminated from the PBR Teams Championship, and delivering the Missouri Thunder the final Semifinal berth.

The final scoreboard read a Missouri win, 180-178.75-176.5. The No. 8 Thunder advanced to the Semifinals of the 2023 PBR Camping World Teams Championship when they will again take on the No. 1 Austin Gamblers, while the Kansas City Outlaws and Oklahoma Freedom had their season come to an end.

Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media