GREENSBORO, N.C. – As their third annual PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series homestand in North Carolina continued on Saturday night, the league No. 1 Carolina Cowboys were stunned by the Nashville Stampede, suffering an upset loss, 86.25-0.00.
PBR’s animal athletes dominated the game, surrendering just one qualified ride after the riders went 17-for-30 in the first three games on Saturday night. After Nashville and Carolina exchanged buckoffs in the first, the Stampede logged what proved to be the game-winning ride in the top of the second, as Anderson de Oliveria bested Kodiac for a crucial 86.25 points. Following the 8-second effort, the bulls took back control of the game, showcasing their supreme power as they bucked off the following five riders.
As a result, Nashville entered the fifth with the chance to clinch the game win early by pulling two ride scores ahead with just one Carolina rider remaining. Young gun Kaiden Loud, however, did not have enough to get past Pneu-Dart’s Chief Wahoo, throttled to the ground in 2.59 seconds.
The game then came down to Carolina closer and seven-time PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) World Champion Sage Kimzey on Hoobastank. The out, however, resulted in a re-ride, after the bull fouled himself, causing a buckoff.
Kimzey then returned to the chutes to take on Peterbilt to try again for a walk-off win. Bursting from the chutes inside Greensboro Coliseum, Kimzey appeared to be en route to the whistle, but he lost the rope at 7.55 seconds, resulting in no score for Carolina and delivering Nashville the win.
Nashville won their fourth consecutive game 86.25-0.00 – the first time the high-flying Carolina Cowboys have been shut out this season. The Stampede are now a perfect 2-0 at PBR Cowboy Days and 11-12 this season, rising from No. 6 to No. 5 in the league following Saturday night’s win. They will next have a bye on Sunday’s Cowboy Days finale.
Carolina remained No. 1 in the league despite falling to 1-1 at their homestand and 16-5-1 this season. They will look to rebound on Sunday when they play the Missouri Thunder.
In what was the closest game of the evening, the Oklahoma Wildcatters defeated the Missouri Thunder by a narrow 0.75 points, 259.75-259, as both teams went 3-for-5. Via the win, Oklahoma took the lead in the two teams’ 2024 season series, now 2-1.
Missouri jumped to an early lead courtesy of back-to-back scores in the opening two frames from Paulo Eduardo Rossetto and Boudreaux Campbell. Oklahoma, however, remained in the fight, keeping Missouri’s lead to one ride score via a second-frame ride from Bob Mitchell.
Trailing by 89.5 points in the fourth, Oklahoma poured fuel on the fire in the final outs of the game. After Clay Guiton returned from injury, riding Sin City for 88.25 points, Cort McFadden dominated Bueno for a game-best 89.5 points, giving the Wildcatters their first lead of the game by 88.25 points, 259.75-171.5.
After Oklahoma’s final rider bucked off, Missouri had the chance to win the game in walk-off-fashion, with their closer Andrew Alvidrez taking on Mr. Koolie. While Alvidrez made the whistle, his 87.5-point ride was not enough to deliver his team a win.
Oklahoma, which had a bye Friday night in the Tar Heel State, improved to 1-0 at PBR Cowboy Days and 9-13-1 this season. Their ninth win of the season propelled them from No. 9 to No. 7 in the league. They next play the Florida Freedom. The Missouri Thunder slipped to 0-2 at the event and 9-14 this season, falling from No. 7 to No. 9 in the league standings ahead of their Sunday showdown with the host and league No. 1 Carolina Cowboys.
The second night of PBR Cowboy Days also featured two walk-off wins from visiting teams.
The Florida Freedom continued to ride red-hot in North Carolina, propelled to a walk-off win against the Austin Gamblers courtesy of a crucial bottom-of-the-fifth score from 2024 MVP leader John Crimber.
Austin took the lead early in the top of the first as Kaique Pacheco covered Big Chili. Florida, however, overtook the top spot on the leaderboard in the bottom of the second by 0.75 points compliments of an 87-point ride from Afonso Quintino on My Bad. The Freedom then grew their lead to 67.75 points in the bottom of the third, electing to keep Yan Victor Cunha’s 67-point effort on Pneu Dart’s Gold Standard despite being offered a re-ride.
The Gamblers, however, wouldn’t remain silent for long. In the top of the fourth, the game lead changed for a third time, as Austin went ahead by 19 points when Guilherme Valleiras conquered Angel’s Envy for a crucial 86.75 points. Following a buckoff from Florida’s Elizmar Jeremias in the bottom of the fourth, Austin closer and two-time PBR Teams MVP Jose Vitor Leme had the chance to clinch the game win early for the Gamblers but was thrown hard into the fence and nearly into the grandstands at the 5.8-second mark by Am I Blue, opening the door for Florida.
The game then came down to Crimber on Wicked In A Winning Way. Nodding with confidence, Crimber remained in perfect time with the powerful animal athlete, reaching the whistle with ease as the crowd erupted in raucous cheer. Awarded 86.75 points, Crimber delivered Florida the win in walk-off form by 67.75 points, 240.75-173, and also grew his lead atop the 2024 MVP race to a then-231.75 points. The win also allowed Florida to take the lead in their 2024 series against Austin, now 2-1.
No. 3 Florida is now a perfect 2-0 at PBR Cowboy Days and 13-9 this season, while the Gamblers are 0-1 in North Carolina and 10-12 across 2024. Austin, which fell from No. 5 to No. 6 in the league following Saturday night’s loss, will look to rebound on Sunday when they play the New York Mavericks.
The league’s reigning Champion Texas Rattlers, who had logged their second perfect game and fifth overall in league history Friday night, earned a come-from-behind win of their own, defeating the Arizona Ridge Riders by 20.5 points, 256.5-230, courtesy of a critical bottom-of-the-fifth ride from their closer, Joao Ricardo Viera.
The showdown began in fast form as the teams exchanged back-to-back qualified rides through the first two frames. Following 8-second efforts from Nick Tetz and Eduardo Aparecido for Arizona and Brady Fielder and Daniel Keeping for Texas, the Ridge Riders led by a mere 0.5 points, 170-169.5, entering the third.
PBR’s animal athletes then briefly controlled the game, delivering buckoffs to both teams in the third. Arizona then grew its lead to 66.5 points in the top of the fourth as they elected to keep Luciano de Castro’s 66-point ride on Rafter P Construction’s The Show despite being offered a re-ride. Texas was unable to match the score, with Marcelo Procopio Periera bucked off in 2.84 seconds by Magic Potion, giving Arizona the chance to clinch the game win early in the fifth.
The Ridge Riders, however, were unable to capitalize. Arizona closer and 2018 PBR Rookie of the Year Keyshawn Whitehorse was upended by Gucci in 5.11 seconds, keeping the Rattlers’ hopes of victory alive.
The game then came down to Texas closer Vieira on Gunsmoke. He answered the call, making the whistle for 87 points to clinch the win for the Rattlers by 20.5 points, 256.5-236. The win also prevented Texas from being swept by Arizona this season, with the series record now 1-2 in 2024.
The Rattlers now return to Texas, ready to welcome the league on Sept. 26-28 for their homestand, holding a bye on Sunday, Sept. 22. They concluded PBR Cowboy Days a perfect 2-0, now 12-11 this season, remaining No. 4 in the league.
Arizona fell to 0-2 at the event and 7-15 this season, still ranked No. 10 in the league. Twelve of Arizona’s 15 losses have been by one bull or points. They will conclude Cowboy Days against the Kansas City Outlaws.
Saturday night’s competition concluded with the Shootout Round featuring one rider from each of the night’s winning teams. Nashville’s Ednelio Almeida won the special round by scoring 87.5 points on Rockville, while Texas’s Fielder finished second after he rode re-ride bull Heavy Hitter for 82.75 points.
In the race for the 2024 PBR Teams MVP title, Fielder’s ride, coupled with No. 1 Crimber’s 2.5-second buckoff for Florida on Snuggles in the Shootout Round, allowed the Australian to close within 62.75 points of the top spot held by Crimber.
PBR Cowboy Days concludes Sunday, Sept. 22, at 1:45 p.m. ET. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com and PBR.com, or by visiting the Greensboro Coliseum Box Office.
Merit Street Media will broadcast all three days of action from PBR Cowboy 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, Sept. 22, CBS Television Network will air the Game of the Week, featuring the Carolina Cowboys versus the Nashville Stampede, beginning at 3 p.m. or 5 p.m. ET, check local listings. 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.
SCORE BULLETINS
Oklahoma Wildcatters Defeat the Missouri Thunder by a Slim 0.75 Points on Second Night of PBR Teams Competition in Greensboro, North Carolina
Oklahoma Wildcatters: 259.75Missouri Thunder: 259
Following a Friday night bye for the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series event in Greensboro, North Carolina, the Oklahoma Wildcatters debuted inside Greensboro Coliseum in winning form, narrowly edging the Missouri Thunder by 0.75 points, 259.75-259.
As the game got underway, Oklahoma’s first out inside Greensboro Coliseum pitted Eduardo Matos against Cockeye. Matos, however, stumbled for the J.B. Mauney-led Wildcatters, tossed in 2.91 seconds. Missouri capitalized on Oklahoma’s fumble. In the bottom of the first, Paulo Eduardo Rossetto converted atop Oreo, giving the Thunder an early 87-point lead.
The Wildcatters quickly responded when team newcomer Bob Mitchell gritted it out to the whistle on Squealin’ Kitty. While Missouri challenged the score, believing Mitchell did not last the requisite 8, PBR’s officials upheld the call in the arena, awarding Mitchell 82 points and causing the Thunder to lose their challenge for the remainder of the game. After Missouri saw its lead shrink to a mere five points, Boudreaux Campbell grew the lead back to a full ride score and 89.5 points, dominating First Class for 84.5 points in the bottom of the second.
Oklahoma then turned to Tate Pollmeier on Salty Brindle to put them back out front. Pollmeier burst from the chutes, and while he came down before the 8-second whistle, he was awarded a re-ride after his bovine athlete opponent fouled himself. In the bottom of the third, Missouri’s Casey Roberts was put on the clock as he settled in on Another Round. Calling for the gate with just 6 seconds remaining, Roberts was quickly unseated, hitting the ground after just 2.25 seconds, resulting in no score.
As the fourth got underway, Missouri remained ahead by 89.5 points, 171.5-82. The frame began with North Carolinian Clay Guiton making his triumphant return to the Oklahoma line-up after being sidelined by injury for 11 games since mid-August. Remaining in perfect time with Sin City, Guiton reached the whistle with ease, awarded 88.25 points, inching the Wildcatters within 1.25 points of the lead.
Due to the re-ride earned earlier in the game, Oklahoma closer Cort McFadden shifted up on the roster for his showdown with Bueno. In a never-give-up fight to the 8, McFadden delivered the second consecutive Wildcatter score and improved to 12-for-24 on the season. Marked 88.25 points, McFadden gave Oklahoma its first lead of the game by 88.25 points, as the scoreboard read 259.75-171.5 while Missouri’s fourth man took to the chutes. The Thunder were hopeful that Briggs Madsen could return Missouri to the lead, but he was brought down by I’ll Make Ya Famous in 3.67 seconds.
As the final frame began, Oklahoma attempted its re-ride, calling up Hagen Braswell to attempt Hoka Hey with the chance to clinch the game win early. Braswell initially appeared centered, but he was ultimately sent flying at the 4.9-second mark, giving Missouri the chance to win in walk-off-form. In the final out, the Thunder’s closer Andrew Alvidrez converted for his squad on Mr. Koolie, but the 87.5-point score was not enough to deliver a victory to Missouri.
When the dust settled, Oklahoma won by 0.75 points, 259.75-259, improving to 2-1 against Missouri in 2024. The Wildcatters are now 1-0 at PBR Cowboy Days, improving to 9-13-1 this season. The victory also allowed them to rise from No. 9 to No. 7 in the league. They will look to continue their winning ways on Sunday, Sept. 22, when they next play the Florida Freedom. Following the loss, the Thunder slipped to 0-2 at the event and 9-14 this season, dropping from No. 7 to No. 9 in the PBR Teams standings. They are next slated to play the host and league No. 1 Carolina Cowboys when action concludes in the Tar Heel State.
MVP Leader John Crimber Leads Florida Freedom to Walk-Off Win Against Austin Gamblers on Second Night of PBR Teams Action in Greensboro, North Carolina
Austin Gamblers: 173Florida Freedom: 240.75
The Florida Freedom’s red-hot momentum continued Saturday evening in Greensboro, North Carolina, as teenage phenom John Crimber propelled the team to a walk-off, 67.75-point win against the Austin Gamblers, 240.75-173. Crimber’s game-winning score extended his lead in the 2024 PBR Teams MVP race to a then-231.75 points over No. 2 Brady Fielder.
The Austin Gamblers began the game in fast fashion. 2018 PBR World Champion Kaique Pacheco converted in the top of the first on Big Chili, giving the Gamblers an early 86.25-point lead. Florida failed to respond in the bottom of the frame as Alex Cerqueira came down in 4.02 seconds on The Undertaker.
Austin’s momentum was halted in the top of the second. Returning to the roster following injury, Rafael dos Santos faltered on Slingin’ It, whipped to the ground in 6 seconds. The Freedom, however, shook off their opening-out buckoff, overtaking the game lead in the very next out by 0.75 points courtesy of an 87-point ride from Afonso Quintino on My Bad.
Austin next looked to Ramon de Lima to return the Gamblers to the lead in the top of the third, but Old Testament throttled him to the ground in 2.2 seconds. Florida’s momentum continued to roll. Electing to keep the score despite being offered a re-ride, the Freedom extended their lead to 67.75 points following a 67-point ride from Yan Victor Cunha on Pneu Dart’s Gold Standard.
As the fourth frame got underway, Austin reclaimed its successful form from the start of the game. Guilherme Valleiras bested Angel’s Envy for 86.75 points, propelling Austin to the lead by 19 points, 173-154. The Freedom’s two-out ride streak was snapped in the bottom of the fourth. Elizmar Jeremias, 9-for-18 on the season coming into Saturday night, was brought down in 3.62 seconds by Cliffhanger, giving Austin the chance to clinch the game win early in the top of the fifth.
The Gamblers’ closer and two-time PBR Teams MVP Jose Vitor Leme took to the chutes, settling in on Am I Blue, needing a score of 81.25 points or more to cement an early game win for the Michael Gaffney-led Gamblers. After difficulty in the chutes, Leme called for the gate, made it 5.8 seconds, then was flung hard into the fence and nearly into the grandstands, opening the door for Florida to win in walk-off form.
The game then came down to Florida closer and current 2024 PBR Teams MVP standings leader John Crimber aboard Wicked In a Winning Way. Bursting from the chutes inside Greensboro Coliseum, Crimber remained in perfect time with his bovine athlete counterpart, reaching the requisite 8 for 86.75 points to deliver the Freedom the win in walk-off, come-from-behind form, 240.75-173.
Florida now leads the series with Austin in 2024, 2-1. Remaining No. 3 in the league, the Freedom are now a perfect 2-0 at PBR Cowboy Days and 13-9 this season, next set to play the Oklahoma Wildcatters on Sunday, Sept. 22. The Austin Gamblers slipped to 0-1 at the event, 10-12 this season, and from No. 5 to No. 6 in the league, now just above the cut line for making it directly into Championship weekend in Las Vegas when they next play the New York Mavericks on Sunday.
Veteran Joao Ricardo Vieira Carries 2023 PBR Teams Champion Texas Rattlers to Walk-Off Win Against Arizona Ridge Riders During Saturday Night’s PBR Teams Event in North Carolina
Arizona Ridge Riders: 236Texas Rattlers: 256.5
Following their second perfect game in team history on Friday night, the reigning PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Teams Champion Texas Rattlers continued their late-season resurgence, propelled to a walk-off, 20.5-point win against the Arizona Ridge Riders by stalwart veteran Joao Ricardo Vieira, 256.5-236.
The game began in electric form, as the ride-for-ride battle began in the very first out. Arizona struck in the top of the first, jumping to an 82.75-point lead as 2022 PBR Canada Champion Nick Tetz bested Dang It. Texas responded in the bottom of the first, overtaking the lead by 3.5 points as Brady Fielder rode his 15th bull in the last 17 attempts, going the distance on Silvertown for 86.25 points.
The lead then changed for a third time in as many outs. As the second frame began, Arizona went ahead by 83.75 points following Eduardo Aparecido’s 87.25-point ride atop F-Bomb. The ride streak grew to four in the bottom of the second. While Texas’s white-hot Daniel Keeping rode Step That for 83.25 points – Keeping’s eighth consecutive qualified ride – it was not enough to put the Rattlers back in front.
Entering the third, Arizona led by 0.5 points, 170-169.5. The ride streak then came to an end. Out third for the Ridge Riders, Dener Barbosa was whipped to the ground in 3.18 seconds by Dang, Dang, while Texas’s Braidy Randolph was tossed in 3.29 seconds by Washita Red in the bottom of the frame.
Arizona reclaimed its successful form from the start of the game in the top of the fourth. Electing to keep Luciano de Castro’s 66-point ride on Rafter P Construction’s The Show, the Ridge Riders grew their lead to 66.5 points. Texas continued to stumble in its out during the penultimate round of attempts as Marcelo Procopio Pereira was bucked off in 2.84 seconds by Magic Potion.
In the top of the fifth, Arizona had the chance to clinch the game win early as a qualified ride would put it ahead by two ride scores with just one Rattler remaining. While Keyshawn Whitehorse initially appeared centered on Gucci, he was ultimately unseated at 5.11 seconds, opening the door for Texas to win in come-from-behind form. In the high-pressure out was Rattlers closer and resilient veteran Vieira, tasked with Gunsmoke by Head Coach Cody Lambert. In what proved to be a perfect pairing, Vieira reached the whistle with ease, marked 87 points to propel the Rattlers to a walk-off win by 20.5 points, 256.5-236.
The win marked Texas’s first against Arizona this season, with the series now 1-2. Texas, which has a bye on the final afternoon of PBR Cowboy Days, concluded the event a perfect 2-0, now with a 12-11 season record, and remains No. 4 in the league. The Arizona Ridge Riders slipped to 0-2 at the event and 7-15 this season, still No. 10 in the PBR Teams standings. Twelve of the team’s 15 losses have been by one bull or points. The Ridge Riders will look to rebound when they next play the Kansas City Outlaws on Sunday, Sept. 22.
Nashville Stampede Earn Stunning, Upset Win Against League No.1 Carolina Cowboys During Saturday Night’s PBR Teams Action in Greensboro, North Carolina
Nashville Stampede: 86.25Carolina Cowboys: 0.00
As their third annual PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series homestand in North Carolina continued Saturday evening inside Greensboro Coliseum, the league No. 1 Carolina Cowboys were stunned by the Nashville Stampede, upset 86.25-0.00. The win marked the fourth consecutive for Nashville, and the Cowboys’ first shut-out loss this season.
PBR’s bovine athletes were the stars of the game’s opening frame. In the top of the first, Silvano Alves was brought down in a heartbreaking 7.86 seconds by Coco after he made a late-out direction change for Nashville, while Cooper Davis was helicoptered in the air by Red Bull at the 5.37-second mark for Carolina.
The Stampede then appeared to become the first team to strike as Anderson de Oliveira was initially deemed to have made the 8 atop Kodiac. While Head Coach Jerome Davis quickly threw Carolina’s challenge flag to review for a possible slap, the replay judge confirmed Nashville’s 86.25-point score. As a result, Carolina lost the chance to challenge the remainder of the game. Carolina continued to stumble in the second. New to the team for the 2024 season, Derek Kolbaba was whipped to the ground in a quick 1.69 seconds by Shark Bait.
The Stampede then looked to Alan de Souza to put them up by two ride scores as he settled in on Air Shift in the top of the third. After being put on the clock, Souza nodded with just 10 seconds remaining. Bursting from the chutes, Souza got ahead of his bovine athlete opponent, launched after just 2.91 seconds and resulting in no score. The Cowboys were hopeful that Dawson Branton, paired with Workin’ Man, would give them their first score and game lead. Nodding with confidence, Branton appeared to be en route to the whistle, but he came up short, hitting the ground in 7.11 seconds as the Cowboys remained in search of their first qualified ride.
After PBR’s animal athletes took control in the fourth, dealing buckoffs to both Nashville and Carolina, both squads readied for a high-pressure fifth. As the final frame got underway, Nashville had the chance to clinch the upset win against the home team early by pulling two ride scores ahead with just one Carolina rider remaining. In the crucial out was young gun Kaiden Loud paired with Pneu-Dart’s Chief Wahoo by Stampede Head Coach Justin McBride. Loud, however, was quickly upended, tossed in 2.59 seconds, opening the door for Carolina to win in walk-off fashion.
The game then came down to Carolina closer and seven-time PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) World Champion Sage Kimzey on Hoobastank. After diligent preparation in the chutes, Kimzey called for the gates. While he came down prior to the 8-second whistle, he was awarded a re-ride after the bull fouled himself. Again taking to the chutes, Kimzey looked to quickly reset for his showdown with Peterbilt. He appeared poised to deliver a qualified ride but lost his rope at 7.55 seconds.
With Carolina having lost the ability to challenge, the Stampede stunned the Carolina faithful inside Greensboro Coliseum to upset the scoreless Carolina Cowboys 86.25-0.00. Nashville improved to 2-0 at PBR Cowboy Days and 11-12 this season and will have a bye as PBR Cowboy Days concludes on Sunday, Sept. 22. Following their Saturday night win, the Stampede rose from No. 6 to No. 5 in the league. The host Carolina Cowboys, now 1-1 at their home event and 16-5-1 this season, will look to conclude their time in the Tar Heel State with a victory when they next play the Missouri Thunder.
GREENSBORO TEAM STANDINGS – SEPTEMBER 21:
Here are the Team standings for the second day of competition for the PBR Camping World Team Series event in Greensboro, North Carolina:
1. Nashville Stampede, 1-0-0-173.752. Texas Rattlers, 1-0-0-339.25
3. Oklahoma Wildcatters, 1-0-0-259.75
4. Florida Freedom, 1-0-0-240.75
5. Missouri Thunder, 0-1-0-259
6. Arizona Ridge Riders, 0-1-0-236
7. Austin Gamblers, 0-1-0-173
8. Carolina Cowboys, 0-1-0-0.00
Note: The Kansas City Outlaws and New York Mavericks had byes on September 21.
PBR TEAMS SEASON STANDINGS:
Here are the current Team standings for the regular season after the second day of competition for PBR Cowboy Days in Greensboro, North Carolina:
1. Carolina Cowboys, 16-5-1-4,620.52. Kansas City Outlaws, 15-7-0-4,925.75
3. Florida Freedom, 13-9-0-4,177
4. Texas Rattlers, 12-11-0-4,512.25
5. Nashville Stampede, 11-12-0-3,188.25
6. Austin Gamblers, 10-12-0-3,577
7. Oklahoma Wildcatters, 9-13-1-3,575.5
8. New York Mavericks, 9-13-0-2,324
9. Missouri Thunder, 9-14-0-3,312.5
10. Arizona Ridge Riders, 7-15-0-3,839.25
SEPTEMBER 22 GAME SCHEDULE:
Here are the game matchups for the final day of action for PBR Cowboy Days on Sunday, September 22:
Arizona Ridge Riders vs. Kansas City Outlaws
Florida Freedom vs. Oklahoma Wildcatters
Austin Gamblers vs. New York Mavericks
Missouri Thunder vs. Carolina Cowboys
Note: The Nashville Stampede and Texas Rattlers will have byes on September 22.
Photo courtesy of Bull Stock Media