Derek Kolbaba’s Second Consecutive Walk-Off, 90-Point Ride Propels Oklahoma Freedom to Victory Against Rival Texas Rattlers at Inaugural PBR Team Series Homestand in Oklahoma City

Freedom rise from No. 5 to No. 4 in league standings via sixth consecutive win ahead of Championship Sunday in Oklahoma, attempting to become first host team to win their inaugural homestand

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Freedom remained red-hot Saturday evening, logging their second consecutive come-from-behind game win at their debut PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series homestand. The Freedom knocked off rival Texas Rattlers, presented by Ariat, via another monstrous 90-point ride from closer Derek Kolbaba (Walla Walla, Washington).

 

The victory elevated the Freedom to 10-8 this season, allowing them to rise from No. 5 to No. 4 in the league standings. The Cord McCoy-coached outfit have now won six consecutive games and are closing in on the league record set earlier this season by the Austin Gamblers when they won eight straight.

 

When PBR Freedom Fest got underway Friday evening, Kolbaba propelled the Freedom to victory against the Gamblers when he delivered a commanding 91-point ride as the team’s closer.

 

The very next night, Kolbaba again found himself in a must-ride position in the bottom of the fifth during the team’s Saturday showdown against Texas.

 

After the Rattlers struck in the top of the first, both teams struggled as the game progressed. As a result, the crucial fifth frame got underway with the Rattlers holding a one-bull, 83.25-point lead.

 

Unable to clinch the win early for the Rattlers, Cody Jesus (Window Rock, Arizona) was bested by his re-ride draw, again setting up a come-from-behind scenario for the Freedom to win a game in walk-off fashion. As the last man out, Kolbaba was tasked with Schott In The Dark (Broken Arrow S Ranch/Sutton Ranch). Matching the bull jump-for-jump, Kolbaba reached the 8 before being slammed hard to the dirt, awarded a crucial 90.25 points to clinch the win for the Freedom.

 

Oklahoma continues to lead the league in 90-point rides with four, while Kolbaba is now the first rider in the league to log multiple 90-point scores.

The Freedom will attempt to become the first team to win their homestand on Championship Sunday when they take on the league No. 1 Carolina Cowboys.

The Cowboys are the only other team to be a perfect 2-0 thus far at PBR Freedom Fest. They earned their second game win Saturday evening when they knocked off the Kansas City Outlaws, 84.5-83.25.

 

The Arizona Ridge Riders made PBR Team Series history Saturday evening, becoming the first team to log multiple 90-point rides in one game when they trounced the Missouri Thunder, 271.25-89.5. The Ridge Riders bookended their win with massive scores from leadoff rider Luciano De Castro (Guzolandia, Brazil) and closer Marco Eguchi (Poa, Brazil).

 

The Nashville Stampede rebounded in resilient fashion in the third game of the evening, thrashing the Austin Gamblers 256.25-0 to earn their first win in Oklahoma.

 

PBR Freedom Fest concludes Sunday, Sept. 18 at 1:45 p.m. CT. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com and PBR.com, at the Paycom Center 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 Oklahoma City. Check https://pluto.tv/en/live-tv/pbr-ridepass for the latest programming schedule.

SCORE BULLETINS

League No. 1 Carolina Cowboys Continue Red-Hot Momentum with Victory Against Kansas City Outlaws on Second Day of Games for PBR Team Series Event in Oklahoma City

 

Carolina Cowboys: 84.5

Kansas City Outlaws: 83.25

 

Photos (Courtesy Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media): Click here to download.

B-Roll (Courtesy PBR): Click here to download.

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – The PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series’ No. 1 Carolina Cowboys continued their red-hot momentum Saturday evening, winning their second game at Freedom Fest, defeating the Kansas City Outlaws 84.5-83.25. As the first frame got underway, the Outlaws stumbled in the leadoff position as second-round draft pick Kyler Oliver (Roy, Utah) was dispatched by Wasted Nights (Hale Cattle Co.) in 5.48 seconds. Keen to strike first for the Cowboys, 2016 PBR World Champion Cooper Davis (Jasper, Texas) readied to face a familiar opponent in Medicine Man (TNT Bucking Bulls) in a rubber match as he looked to extend his four-out ride streak in league competition. Davis conquered the bull in their most recent meeting during the 2019 premier series event in Kansas City, Missouri, marked 87.75 points. Davis delivered one of the evening’s most gritty performances, clinging to the animal athlete despite being off centered early in the ride. Following official review, Davis was determined to have slapped the bull at the 3.51-second mark, ruling the trip a no score. With the pressure already high, the game reached a new level of intensity in the second. The Outlaws’ Marcus Mast (Middlebury, Indiana) was first to put points on the board in the top of the frame, outlasting Hoka Hey (Bryan T. Smith/Nathan Doss) for 83.25 points. The Cowboys wouldn’t remain quiet for long. In the bottom of the round, 2020 PBR Rookie of the Year Boudreaux Campbell (Crockett, Texas) conquered Hateful (Lidgard/Anderson) for a game-best 84.5 points to give Carolina a 1.25-point lead. As the game passed the midway point, Dalton Rudman (Wellington, Utah) was fourth out for the Outlaws, while Leonardo Lima (Vale do Paraiso, Brazil) was in the penultimate position for the Cowboys. Rudman was bested by Magic Carpet (D&H Cattle Co./Payson Parker) in a hard-fought 6.62 seconds, and Lima was awarded a re-ride after Red Rain (Raymond & Coy Henry/Lidgard) stumbled leaving the chutes. Via the fourth-frame trips, the Outlaws entered the fifth in a must-ride position as they had just one attempt remaining, while the Cowboys had two. In the closer position for the J.W. Hart-led outfit was first-round draft pick Dalton Kasel (Muleshoe, Texas). The reserved Texan, however, was unable to answer the call for his team, brought down by Gangster Time (Classic Jack Cattle/Viducic Bucking Bulls) in 5.46 seconds, delivering the win to Carolina. Despite not converting in their final two outs, Carolina concluded the game with their 12th victory of the season, defeating the Outlaws 84.5-83.25. The Cowboys, who improved to 2-0 at PBR Freedom Fest and 12-6 this season, will look to conclude the event with a perfect record when they take on the host Oklahoma Freedom (2-0 | 10-8) in their final game on Sunday, Sept. 18. The showdown will determine who will leave Oklahoma City the PBR Freedom Fest Champions. The Outlaws, slipping to 0-2 at Freedom Fest and 7-11 through 2022, will seek their first game win in the Sooner State when they face the Missouri Thunder (1-1 | 9-9) during the last day of PBR Team Series action inside Paycom Center.

 

Two Monstrous 90-Point Rides Propel Arizona Ridge Riders to Victory Against Missouri Thunder During Second Night of PBR Team Series Action in Oklahoma City

 

Arizona Ridge Riders: 271.25

Missouri Thunder: 89.5

 

Photos (Courtesy Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media): Click here to download.

B-Roll (Courtesy PBR): Click here to download.

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Bookending their efforts Saturday evening with two monstrous 90-point scores, the Arizona Ridge Riders trounced the Missouri Thunder, 271.25-89.5, to snap a three-game losing streak and collect their first win at the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series event in Oklahoma City. First-round draft pick Luciano De Castro (Guzolandia, Brazil) began the five-on-five showdown for the Ridge Riders with a bang, conquering Top Shelf (P. Ro Ranch/OK Corralis/Gordon/D&H Cattle) for a commanding 90.5 points. The 90-point score was the seventh of the season, and the first for the Ridge Riders. The Missouri Thunder were quick to respond, pulling within a point of the lead when Adriano Salgado (Batatais, Brazil) reached the requisite 8 atop Tijuana Two Step (M Rafter E Bucking Bulls) for 89.5 points. As the second got underway, the Ridge Riders’ momentum continued, growing their lead to 90.25 points when Vitor Losnake (Bauru, Brazil) bested War Cry (Broken Arrow S Ranch/Sutton Ranch) for 89.25 points. The three-out ride streak to start the game came to an end in the bottom of the second when newly inked Thunder rider Alvaro Alvarez Aguilar (La Punta Lagos Moreno, Mexico) was whipped to the ground in a quick 2.78 seconds by One Cord Song (Shuler Bucking Bulls). After scoreless third and fourth frames, the Ridge Riders had the chance to clinch the game in the top of the fifth when Marco Eguchi (Poa, Brazil) was paired with Tested’s Viper (Hookin’ W Ranch/LeFlore Bucking Bulls). Eguchi matched the striking animal athlete jump-for-jump en route to the whistle and was awarded a game best 91.5 points, sealing the game win for the Ridge Riders. After the Thunder bucked off in the final out of the game, the Ridge Riders claimed their win, 271.25-89.5. The Ridge Riders are now 1-1 at PBR Freedom Fest and 11-7 this season and will play the Nashville Stampede (1-1 | 5-13) during the final round of games in Oklahoma City. The win also allowed the Ridge Riders to surpass the Austin Gamblers for the No. 2 rank in the league standings. The Thunder, who fell to 1-1 in Oklahoma City and 9-9 this season, will look to rebound when they play the Kansas City Outlaws (0-2 | 7-11) on Sunday, Sept. 18 inside Paycom Center.

 

 

Nashville Stampede Outscore Austin Gamblers by Three Rides to Earn Crucial Upset Victory During Second Night of Game Play for PBR Team Series’ Freedom Fest

 

Nashville Stampede: 256.25

Austin Gamblers: 0

 

Photos (Courtesy Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media): Click here to download.

B-Roll (Courtesy PBR): Click here to download.

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Nashville Stampede rebounded in resilient fashion Saturday evening during the second night of competition for the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series’ Freedom Fest, outscoring the Austin Gamblers by three rides to earn an upset victory, 256.25-0. Following a scoreless first, Joao Henrique Lucas (Bastos, Brazil) readied to ride second for the Stampede, while Austin Richardson (Dallas, Texas) was up for the Gamblers. Lucas was the first to strike, converting in the top of the frame when he covered Valiente (Nothin’ But Try Ranch/Kinser/McCall) for 82.75 points. The Gamblers were unable to answer, as Richardson was tossed in a quick 2.43 seconds by Fajita (Nothin’ But Try Ranch/’Diggers Bucking Bulls), leading the Stampede to begin the third with an 82.75-point lead. Riding for the first time in front of his home state since unretiring to compete in the PBR Team Series, 12-time PBR World Finals qualifier Ryan Dirteater (Hulbert, Oklahoma) expanded the Stampede lead to 169.75 points in the top of the third when he covered Napoleon (Sho-Me Rodeo/Austin) for a game-best 87 points. The Gamblers were again blanked in the third, unable to respond when Dakota Louis (Browning, Montana) was upended by Mule Train (Martinez/Porter Cattle Co.) in a close 6.08 seconds. In the top of the fourth, Matt Triplett (Canton, South Dakota) had the chance to clinch the win for the Stampede early but was slammed down hard before the whistle by Razzmatazz (M Rafter E/High View Cattle). Despite the renewed chance at a potential come-from-behind win, the Gamblers were still in a must-ride position in the bottom of the frame, needing to convert in their final two outs to surpass Nashville. Lucas Divino (Nova Crixas, Brazil) was unable to deliver for Austin, handing Nashville the win when he was sent to the dirt at the 4.99-second mark by Otis (M Rafter E/High View Cattle). With the win secured, the Stampede added to their margin of victory in the top of the fifth as three-time PBR World Champion Silvano Alves (Pilar do Sul, Brazil) rode Uncle Gangster (Pick-It Hammers) for 86.5 points. When the dust settled after the Gamblers’ closer Ramon de Lima (Rio Branco, Brazil) was unable to prevent his team from suffering a scoreless defeat, the Stampede earned their fifth win of the season 256.25-0. The Stampede are now 1-1 at PBR Freedom Fest and 5-13 this season. They will seek their second straight win in Oklahoma on Sunday, Sept. 18 when they play the Arizona Ridge Riders (1-1 | 11-7). The streaky Gamblers are now 0-2 in Oklahoma and fell to 10-8 during the 2022 season, dropping from No. 2 to No. 3 in the league standings. The Michael Gaffney-led team will attempt to rebound on the final day of PBR Team Series competition in Oklahoma City when they play the Texas Rattlers, presented by Ariat, (1-1 | 6-12) in an all-Lone Star State showdown.

 

 

90-Point Ride from Closer Derek Kolbaba Propels Oklahoma Freedom to Walk-Off Win Against Texas Rattlers for Second Consecutive Game at PBR Team Series Event in Oklahoma City

 

Oklahoma Freedom: 90.25

Texas Rattlers: 83.25

 

Photos (Courtesy Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media): Click here to download.

B-Roll (Courtesy PBR): Click here to download.

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – For the second consecutive evening during the inaugural PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series homestand in Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma Freedom defeated an opponent via a walk-off, 90-point ride. Closer Derek Kolbaba (Walla Walla, Washington) again propelled the team to a dramatic win, this time a 90.25-83.25 victory against the Texas Rattlers, presented by Ariat, Saturday night inside Paycom Center. The Freedom have now won six consecutive games and are two wins away from tying the league record of eight consecutive game wins currently held by the Austin Gamblers. In the leadoff position for bull riding’s version of the Red River Showdown, the Rattlers struck in the top of the first as Daniel Keeping (Gorman, Texas) covered Big Kiwi (Nothin’ But Try Ranch/’Diggers Bucking Bulls) for 83.25 points. The Freedom were unable answer when Chase Outlaw (Hamburg, Arkansas) was tossed to the ground in just 4.09 seconds by Next Question (Nothin’ But Try Ranch/’Diggers Bucking Bulls). After a scoreless second, third and fourth, the game intensity reached new heights in the fifth. With the chance to clinch the win early for the Rattlers, Cody Jesus (Window Rock, Arizona) was awarded a re-ride before he even left the chutes atop Jeremiah (Martinez Bucking Bulls, LLC). Head Coach Cody Lambert assigned Jesus to the re-ride draw, revealed to be World Champion Bull contender Chiseled (Flinn/D&H Cattle Co.). A familiar opponent, Jesus was bucked off by the bull in 3.21 seconds during the September 2021 15/15 Bucking Battle in Deadwood, South Dakota. Jesus, however, was unable to reverse his past misfortunes, brought down by Chiseled in 4.9 seconds. For the second evening, Kolbaba was in the position to lead his team to a come-from-behind victory, this time matched up with Schott In The Dark (Broken Arrow S Ranch/Sutton Ranch) by Head Coach Cord McCoy. With the raucous Sooner State crowd on its feet, Kolbaba burst from the chute, remaining centered and in perfect time atop the powerful bull, reaching the requisite 8 as the crowd erupted into a deafening roar. With his team celebrating atop the chutes, Kolbaba was scored a monstrous 90.25 points, clinching the game win for the Freedom. The 90-point ride was the second for Kolbaba during the PBR Team Series, and Oklahoma’s league-leading fourth. The Freedom are now one of two teams to be a perfect 2-0 at PBR Freedom Fest alongside the Carolina Cowboys (2-0 | 12-6). The two powerhouses will go head-to-head during the final round of games on Sunday, Sept. 18 as they contend for the title of PBR Freedom Fest Champions. The win against the Rattlers improved the Freedom to 10-8 this season, allowing them to rise from No. 5 to No. 4 in the league standings. Following the loss, the Rattlers are now 1-1 at the Team Series event in Oklahoma and 6-12 this season. Keen to conclude PBR Freedom Fest with a winning record, the Rattlers will play the Austin Gamblers (0-2 | 10-8) in an all-Texas showdown on Championship Sunday.

OKLAHOMA CITY TEAM STANDINGS:

Here are the current Team standings for the Oklahoma City PBR Team Series event after the second day of competition for PBR Freedom Fest:

 

  1. Oklahoma Freedom, 2-0-0
  2. Carolina Cowboys, 2-0-0
  3. Arizona Ridge Riders, 1-1-0
  4. Missouri Thunder, 1-1-0
  5. Nashville Stampede, 1-1-0
  6. Texas Rattlers, 1-1-0
  7. Austin Gamblers, 0-2-0
  8. Kansas City Outlaws, 0-2-0

 

PBR TEAM SERIES SEASON STANDINGS:

Here are the current Team standings for the regular season after the second day of competition for PBR Freedom Fest in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma:

 

  1. Carolina Cowboys, 12-6-0-46
  2. Arizona Ridge Riders, 11-7-0-19
  3. Austin Gamblers, 10-8-0-36.5
  4. Oklahoma Freedom, 10-8-0-22
  5. Missouri Thunder, 9-9-0-27
  6. Kansas City Outlaws, 7-11-0-20.5
  7. Texas Rattlers, 6-12-0-25
  8. Nashville Stampede, 5-13-0-20

 

SEPTEMBER 18 GAME SCHEDULE:

Here are the game matchups for the final day of action for PBR Freedom Fest on Sunday, Sept. 18:

 

Arizona Ridge Riders @ Nashville Stampede

Missouri Thunder @ Kansas City Outlaws

Texas Rattlers @ Austin Gamblers

Carolina Cowboys @ Oklahoma Freedom

About the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series:

The PBR Team Series is an elite new league that features the world’s top bull riders competing on teams in five-on-five bull riding games during an 11-event season beginning in July and culminating in a team championship at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas November 4-6.  During the 2022 season, each of the eight teams representing teams in Austin, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Glendale, AZ; Kansas City, MO; Nashville, TN; Oklahoma City, OK; Ridgedale, MO; and Winston-Salem, NC will host a three-day homestand.  There will also be neutral site games in Cheyenne, WY and Anaheim, CA. To determine team rosters, the league held a rider draft on May 23 prior to start of the 2022 season among any bull riders who have declared for the draft during a league eligibility window. The PBR Team Series builds on the existing structure of professional bull riding with the same basic rules for judging and scoring qualified 8-second bull rides. Events will be staged in a tournament-style format with all teams competing in head-to-head matchups against a different opponent each day. Each game will feature five riders per team squaring off against another team. Full team rosters will be comprised of seven riders on the core roster and three practice squad members. The team with the highest aggregate score of qualified rides among its riders will be declared the winner of each game. The event winner will be the team with the most game wins across an event, with a special bonus round designed as a tiebreaker to determine final event standings. All PBR Team Series events will be carried on either the CBS Television Network, streaming live on Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, or RidePass on Pluto TV.