Kansas City Outlaws extend winning streak to six with victory over Missouri Thunder in Show Me State Showdown
Oklahoma, Austin and Texas also pick up victories in Springfield, Missouri.
SPRINGFIELD, Missouri – The Kansas City Outlaws (10-4) spoiled the Missouri Thunder’s (6-9) debut at Great Southern Bank Arena, 256.75-87.50, in the final game of the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series Thunder Days.
On a seemingly unstoppable tear that included giving the league-leading Carolina Cowboys their first loss of the season in Austin, Texas, last weekend, Kansas City’s Sandro Batista got the team out to an early lead by riding Tootsie Pop for 83.50 points. The Thunder immediately answered, taking the lead on Briggs Madsen’s 87.5-point ride Let’s Roll, but that would be the only time the Thunder would make the 8 Friday evening.
Already up 1-0 in the best-of-three Show Me State Showdown, 2024 PBR World Champion Cassio Dias took back the lead by riding Down Payment for 88.25 points before Missouri native Koltin Hevalow put the game away in the final frame by covering Wasted Nights for 85 points.
The red-hot Kansas City Outlaws attempt to extend their winning streak to seven against the Florida Freedom (6-7) on Saturday, while the Thunder try to bounce back against the New York Mavericks (6-8), who had a bye Friday night.
In the first game of the evening, the Oklahoma Wildcatters (6-8-1) defeated the Nashville Stampede (7-8), 176.5-89.5, behind rides from rising stars Eduardo Matos and Cort McFadden.
Matos gave the Wildcatters an early lead by riding Bandito Bug for 88.25 points in the top of the first, but Nashville’s Cody Jesus immediately responded by topping Wingman for 89.5 points. After the two teams exchanged buckoffs in the second, McFadden posted what would end up being the game-winning ride on Casper for 88.25 points in the third frame.
The Wildcatters have a tough task taking on the league-leading Carolina Cowboys(11-1-1) on Saturday, while Nashville has a bye tomorrow evening.
In the second game of the night, the Austin Gamblers (8-7) defeated the Arizona Ridge Riders (4-10), 244.25-175.25, behind another walk-off ride from closer Jose Vitor Leme.
Ridge Riders’ veteran Eduardo Aparecido became just the ninth rider in PBR history to reach 400 rides by converting on Dark Thoughts for 88.5 points in the top of the second, giving his team a two-point lead, but after the two teams exchanged one more ride apiece, Leme closed the show by topping Riser for 87.75 points to walk-off the Ridge Riders.
Arizona tries to right the ship against the Texas Rattlers (7-8) Saturday night while Austin has a night off.
The Texas Rattlers head into their matchup with the Ridge Riders after hanging on to defeat the Florida Freedom, 174.25-173.50, in the third game Friday night.
Brady Fielder was the third rider of the night to make the 8 in the top of the first, riding Caesar for 87.25 points. Elizmar Jeremias closed the gap for the Freedom in the third by riding I’ll Make Ya Famous for 86.25 points, but Joao Ricardo Vieira’s 87-point ride atop Roc Wit It was just enough to hold off Florida closer John Crimber, whose 87.25-point outing on Crazy Times wasn’t enough to take back the lead.
Florida’s trip to the Show Me State doesn’t get any easier on Saturday, where they take on the red-hot Outlaws, while Texas attempts to move to 2-0 in Missouri against the Arizona Ridge Riders.
PBR Thunder Days continues Saturday, August 31, at 7:45 p.m. CT. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com and PBR.com, Great Southern Bank Arena Box Office, or by calling PBR customer service at 1-800-732-1727.
Merit Street Media will broadcast all three days of action from PBR Thunder Days. Viewers can watch on the Merit+ app or go to https://www.meritstreetmedia.com/channel-finder to find the Merit Street Media cable channel in their area. On Sunday, September 1, CBS Television Network will air the Game of the Week beginning at Noon ET. On-demand replays of all the PBR Teams action will be available the following day on the Merit+ app. RidePass on Pluto TV will also air Teams replays five days later.
Game Recaps –
See below for individual game recaps of the first night of PBR Teams: Thunder Days in Springfield, Missouri.
Oklahoma Bests Nashville Two Ride Scores to One in Opening Game of PBR Teams: Thunder Days
Oklahoma Wildcatters: 176.50
Nashville Stampede: 89.50
Effortless! Cort McFadden Rides Casper for 88.25 Points
In the first game of the PBR’s (Professional Bull Riders) return to Springfield, Missouri, the Oklahoma Wildcatters (6-8-1) defeated the Nashville Stampede (7-8), 176.50-89.50. Eduardo Matos got the Wildcatters off to a strong start, riding Bandito Bug for a solid 88.25 points. Not to be outdone, Nashville’s Cody Jesus immediately stole the lead back by covering Wingman for 89.5 points. Oklahoma turned to Josh Frost to give the Sooner State squad another lead, but he was bucked off by Rip in 3.90 seconds to hold the score steady. Alan de Souza initially sat tall atop Chain Up and looked like he would extend Nashville’s lead before the powerful bovine gained the upper hand and unseated the Brazilian after 7.13 seconds.
At the top of the third frame, Cort McFadden stormed out of the chutes on Casper and converted for the Wildcatters once again for 88.25 points to give Oklahoma a 176.50-89.50 lead. Next up, Anderson de Oliveira had his PBR Teams debut spoiled by Artic Lights, who unseated the Brazilian rookie after 3.76 seconds. Now with a chance to force Nashville into a must-ride situation with two outs to go, Hayden Harris stormed out of the chutes on Beef Cake but was immediately bested by the animal athlete, losing the rope after 2.29 seconds. Nashville’s Kaiden Loud steadied himself inside the chutes and gave the nod atop God Bless America, leaping out of the gate to the roaring fans inside Great Southern Bank Arena, but he was unable to make the 8 and was bucked off after 3.39 seconds.
Kase Hitt had a chance to close the show for the Oklahoma Wildcatters in the top of the fifth frame, but Diabolical slipped coming out of the chutes and the Wildcatters were awarded a re-ride opportunity. Before the re-ride, Nashville closer Silvano Alves steadied himself, storming out of the chutes on Phantom, but the elite animal athlete once again bucked off the three-time PBR World Champion in 3.20 seconds, securing the win for Oklahoma with one out to go.
Austin Richardson took the re-ride opportunity for the Wildcatters but Flyin Wired, who had surrendered three-straight 90-point rides, never gave the Texan a chance, bucking him off in a swift 1.74 seconds. The Wildcatters look to remain perfect in Missouri against the league-leading Carolina Cowboys (11-1-1) on Saturday, while Nashville has a bye before they try to regroup and bounce back against the Kansas City Outlaws (10-4) on Sunday.
Leme Spoils Aparecido’s 400th Career Ride to Walk-off the Arizona Ridge Riders
Arizona Ridge Riders: 175.25
Austin Gamblers: 244.25
Walk-Off King! Jose Vitor Leme Secures the Win for the Austin Gamblers with 87.75 on Riser
In the second game of the evening, the Austin Gamblers (8-7) bested the Arizona Ridge Riders (4-10), 244.25-175.25. Bruno Carvalho was up first for the Ridge Riders but he was bested by Buffalo Heifer in 7.48 seconds. Looking to bounce back after going just 1-for-3 in Austin, Texas, last weekend, Dalton Kasel leapt out of the gate on Mojo Bone and hung on to the powerful animal athlete for 86.5 points. Veteran Eduardo Aparecido was next to ride for the Arizona Ridge Riders and the Brazilian cowboy converted on Dark Thoughts for 88.5 points to give his team the lead. With the ride, Aparecido became just the ninth rider in PBR history to make the 8 400 times.
Now down two points, Austin turned to 2018 PBR World Champion Kaique Pacheco, who was looking to break a rare four-out buckoff streak. However, the Ice Man’s struggles continued, as Miller Time unseated the Brazilian in 3.05 seconds. Next up, Arizona’s Eli Vastbinder was similarly dispatched by Renegade in 2.87 seconds. Former Gamblers’ leadoff man Ezekiell Mitchell was tasked with Buck Nasty in the bottom of the third frame, but the powerful bovine competitors continued their dominant streak, as the Texan was dispatched after 2.53 seconds. Luciano De Castro ended the three-out buckoff streak, topping Grindstone for 86.75 points to extend Arizona’s lead and put the pressure on the team from the Lone Star State. Lucas Divino rose to the occasion, hanging on to Big Talker as he jumped straight up and down for 70 points.
The Gamblers declined their offered re-ride opportunity, giving Arizona closer Keyshawn Whitehorse a chance to put the game away. However, Rank Frank spun the cowboy off his back after 3.28 seconds to leave the door open for Gamblers’ closer and reigning back-to-back PBR Teams’ MVP Jose Vitor Leme to steal the game for Austin. As he has done so many times before, Leme seized the moment and topped Riser for 87.75 points to walk-off the Ridge Riders. Austin will have to wait until Sunday to extend their winning streak to three, while Arizona attempts to rebound against the Texas Rattlers (7-8) Saturday night.
Rattlers Edge Out Freedom in Third Matchup of PBR Teams: Thunder Days
Texas Rattlers: 174.25
Florida Freedom: 173.50
Aussie Power! Brady Fielder Makes It Look Easy on Caesar
In the third game of the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Teams: Thunder Days, the Texas Rattlers (7-8) ousted the Florida Freedom (6-9), 174.25-173.50. Brady Fielder led off with an 87.25-point outing on Caesar to give the defending PBR Teams Champion Texas Rattlers an early lead. Florida’s Joao Henrique Lucas was unable to match the Australian in the bottom of the first, bucking off Seth Wadley’s No Bull.
in 6.18 seconds, but the team was offered a re-ride. The Rattlers’ Mason Taylor failed to cover Punchy Pete, losing the rope after 4.88 seconds, before Florida’s Eric Henrique Domingos was bested by Ricky Vaughn in 5.62 seconds. Knucklehead extended the buckoff streak to three by taking care of the Freedom’s Alex Cerqueira in 6.18 seconds. After a breakout 2-for-2 performance in his season debut in Austin least weekend, Claudio Montanha Jr. suffered his first buckoff of the season, as Margin of Error bested him in 5.08 seconds. Elizmar Jeremias finally broke through for the Freedom aboard I’ll Make Ya Famous for 86.25 points, bringing Florida to within a point with two frames to go.
Qynn Andersen failed to ride Sometimes I Fly as the animal athlete unseated him after 4.94 seconds, leaving the door open for Joao Lucas Campos to give Florida the lead heading into the final frame. However, Lever Action proved too much for the Brazilian cowboy, bucking him off in 3.17 seconds. Texas closer Joao Ricardo Vieira hung on to Roc Wit it for 87 points to extend the Rattlers’ lead, but Florida was still in striking distance for rookie phenom John Crimber. The 19-year-old rocketed out of the chutes on Crazy Times, moving in perfect time with the animal athlete as he spun, but his score of 87.25 points was not enough to give his Freedom the victory. Florida attempts to bounce back against the red-hot Kansas City Outlaws (10-4) Saturday night, while Texas tries to keep rolling against the Arizona Ridge Riders (4-10).
Outlaws Spoil Thunder’s Springfield Debut at Great Southern Bank Arena
Kansas City Outlaws: 256.75
Missouri Thunder: 87.50
Paid in Full! Cassio Dias Handles Down Payment for 88.25
The PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series’ first day of Thunder Days concluded with the Kansas City Outlaws (10-4) defeating their in-state rival Missouri Thunder (6-9), 256.75-87.50, to win the 2024 edition of the Show Me State showdown. Sandro Batista got the visiting Outlaws off to a strong start, riding Tootsie Pop for 83.50 points. However, the Thunder punched right back, taking the lead behind Briggs Madsen’s 87.5-point outing aboard Let’s Roll. Not to be outdone, Cassio Dias immediately seized back the lead for Kansas City, riding Down Payment for 88.25 points.
The Thunder turned to their own Brazilian cowboy, Felipe Furlan, to try and match Dias, but Brown Bomber was too much for him, bucking off Furlan in 4.11 seconds. Looking to extend Kansas City’s lead, Julio Cesar Marques rocketed out of the gate on Norse God. The red-hot animal athlete extended his buckoff streak to four as the Jane Clark/Gene Owen product threw Marques to the dirt in a quick 2.74 seconds. Grayson Cole was next to ride for the hometown Thunder, but he too failed to make the 8, as he was downed by Slingin It in 3.28 seconds. Entering the final two frames up one ride score, Outlaws rookie Heitor Santos Ferreira attempted to move to 2-for-2 to start his PBR Teams’ career, but Hell Right had other plans, bucking off the Brazilian in 6.72 seconds.
Now running out of time, Thunder captain Andrew Alvidrez attempted to regain the lead in front of Missouri’s home fans but was immediately thrown by Snake Eyes in a blistering 2.15 seconds. The Outlaws saved Smithville, Missouri, native Koltin Hevalow for last and he rewarded Head Coach J.W. Hart by sealing the Outlaws victory, riding Wasted Nights for 85 points. With the game out of reach, Paulo Eduardo Rossetto tried to somewhat close the deficit on Kansas City, but Baldy dispatched the Brazilian cowboy in 1.76 seconds. The red-hot Kansas City Outlaws go for their seventh-straight win against the Florida Freedom (6-7), while the Thunder try to bounce back against the New York Mavericks (6-8).
PBR TEAMS: THUNDER DAYS EVENT STANDINGS – AUGUST 30:
Here are the event standings for the first day of competition for the PBR Camping World Team Series event in Springfield, Missouri.
Kansas City Outlaws 1-0-0, 256.75
2 Austin Gamblers 1-0-0, 244.25
3 Oklahoma Wildcatters 1-0-0, 176.50
4 Texas Rattlers 1-0-0, 174.25
5 Arizona Ridge Riders 0-1-0, 175.25
6 Florida Freedom 0-1-0, 173.50
7 Nashville Stampede 0-1-0, 89.50
8 Missouri Thunder 0-1-0, 87.50
Note: The Carolina Cowboys and New York Mavericks had a bye on August 30.
PBR TEAMS SEASON STANDINGS:
Here are the current Team standings for the regular season after the first day of competition for PBR Teams: Thunder Days in Springfield, Missouri:
1 Carolina Cowboys 11-1-1, 3,218.00
2 Kansas City Outlaws 10-4-0, 2,755.75
3 Austin Gamblers 8-7-0, 2,378.25
4 Texas Rattlers 7-8-0, 2,343.25
5 Nashville Stampede 7-8-0, 2,071.50
6 Oklahoma Wildcatters 6-8-1, 2,313.00
7 Florida Freedom 6-8-0, 2,113.00
8 New York Mavericks 6-8-0, 1,559.50
9 Missouri Thunder 6-9-0, 1,921.00
10 Arizona Ridge Riders 4-10-0, 2,150.25
AUGUST 31 GAME SCHEDULE:
Here are the game matchups for the second day of action for PBR Teams: Thunder Days at Great Southern Bank Arena on Saturday, August 31:
Texas Rattlers vs. Arizona Ridge Riders
Florida Freedom vs. Kansas City Outlaws
Oklahoma Wildcatters vs. Carolina Cowboys
New York Mavericks vs. Missouri Thunder
Note: The Austin Gamblers and Nashville Stampede will have byes on August 31.
SEPTEMBER 1 GAME SCHEDULE:
Here are the game matchups for the final day of PBR Teams: Thunder Days at Great Southern Bank Arena on Sunday, September 1:
Florida Freedom vs. Austin Gamblers
Nashville Stampede vs. Kansas City Outlaws
New York Mavericks vs. Arizona Ridge Riders
Missouri Thunder vs. Carolina Cowboys
Note: The Oklahoma Wildcatters and Texas Rattlers will have byes on September 1.
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media