Texas Rattlers, Austin Gamblers and Nashville Stampede also record wins on opening night of PBR Camping World Team Series gameplay inside Gas South Arena

By Kacie Albert

DULUTH, Ga. – At the first neutral-site PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series event of the season in Duluth, Georgia, the Carolina Cowboys continued to dominate, beating the previously undefeated Arizona Ridge Riders by two ride scores to further their stronghold as the No. 1 team in the league and the only squad to have won all their five-on-five games thus far in 2024.

Carolina traveled to Gas South Arena fresh off making history at the season-launch event two weeks prior in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, as they recorded the highest aggregate score for any team in just the third perfect game in league history.

While their Friday night showdown with the Ridge Riders began slowly, the Cowboys quickly regained their history-making form, as Adriano Salgado and Daylon Swearingen logged crucial late-game scores to carry Carolina to a 174.5-0 victory.

The win improved the No. 1 Carolina Cowboys to 3-0, while Arizona exited the arena 2-1, slipping to No. 4 in the league.

As Carolina celebrated on their way back to the locker room, they quickly turned their focus to the Austin Gamblers, who won on Friday night and await them on the second night of competition in the Peach State. Arizona will look to rebound when they play the reigning Teams Champion Texas Rattlers.

The Nashville Stampede delivered the first walk-off win of the 2024 season Friday night as closer Silvano Alves propelled the league’s 2022 Champions past the Kansas City Outlaws with a crucial bottom-of-the-fifth ride.

After a slow start to the game, Nashville jumped to a two-score lead via 8-second efforts from Alan de Souza and Kaiden Loud. But Kansas City converted when it mattered most as closer Cassio Dias and re-ride contender Brennon Eldred delivered much-needed scores at game’s end to put the Outlaws ahead by 7.5 points with just one Nashville out remaining.

The game then came down to Nashville closer Alves on Woody. No stranger to high-pressure moments, the veteran delivered for his team. Registering the high-marked ride of the game, an 89.25-point score, Alves propelled his team to an 81.75-point, come-from-behind 257.5-175.75 win to deal Kansas City its first loss of the season.

When action inside Gas South Arena continues on Saturday, the Stampede, who rose from No. 7 to No. 6 in the league, will have a bye, while the No. 2 Kansas City Outlaws will play the Florida Freedom.

The two-time regular season Champion Austin Gamblers logged their first game win of 2024 on Friday evening in Duluth, beating the New York Mavericks by three ride scores, 260.75-0. The Gamblers jumped to an early lead compliments of a first-frame score from Dalton Kasel and third-frame score from Kaique Pacheco, his first for Austin. They then punctuated their victory with a commanding effort from closer Jose Vitor Leme in the fifth.

Austin rose from No. 9 to No. 8 in the league via the win, while the New York Mavericks, who have a bye on July 27, remained No. 10.

PBR Camping World Team Series competition began in Georgia with a showdown between the reigning PBR Teams Champion Texas Rattlers and Florida Freedom. The Rattlers’ title-winning form was on full display, as Brady Oleson and Marcelo Procopio Pereira converted in the first two frames to lead them past Florida by 86.5 points, 174.25-87.75.

Florida closer John Crimber prevented the team from suffering a shutout loss as he converted atop Bandito Bug for 87.75 points in the final out of the game.

Via the win, Texas improved to 2-1 in 2024, while Florida is now 1-2. They swapped rankings with one another, as the Rattlers are now No. 5 in the league and the Freedom No. 6.

The evening then concluded with the Shoot Out Round, featuring one rider from each of the night’s winning teams. As the lone rider to make the 8, Nashville’s Souza won compliments of an 88.5-point ride on Mike’s Motive.

PBR Camping World Team Series action from Duluth, Georgia, continues Saturday, July 27, at 7:45 p.m. ET. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com and PBR.com, or by calling PBR customer service at 1-800-732-1727 or Gas South Arena at 470-639-8243.

Merit Street Media will broadcast all three days of action from Gas South Arena. 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-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

Texas Rattlers Defeat the Florida Freedom by One Ride Score on Opening Night of PBR Camping World Team Series Competition in Duluth, Georgia

Texas Rattlers: 174.25

Florida Freedom: 87.75

As the first neutral-site PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series event of the 2024 campaign got underway Friday night in Duluth, Georgia, the Texas Rattlers’ championship form was on full display as they beat the Florida Freedom by one ride score, 174.25-87.75, inside Gas South Arena. The Rattlers began the showdown with a bang. In the top of the first, Brady Oleson gave the league’s reigning Champions a quick 86.75-point lead as he covered I’ll Make Ya Famous. In the bottom of the opening frame, Florida stumbled, unable to match their opponent’s early success as Caden Bunch came down in 3.5 seconds aboard Tootsie Pop. Texas then turned to Marcelo Procopio Pereira to give them their second consecutive score. Answering the call for his team, Periera rode Black 6 for 87.5 points, increasing the Rattlers’ lead to 174.25 points. Eager to rebound,Joao Lucas Campos took on Beef Cake for the Freedom. Despite nodding with confidence, Campos was hurled to the ground in 2.96 seconds, as Florida remained scoreless entering the third. Texas’s momentum came to an end in the top of the third as Jesse Petri was unseated by Great Balls of Fire in 4.21 seconds, opening the door for Florida. Out next for the Freedom in the bottom of the third was Trey Benton III on Workin’ Man. While Benton initially appeared centered, he ultimately proved no match for the unridden bovine, hitting the ground in 4.07 seconds as Workin’ Man improved to a perfect 13-0 in PR competition. Via the buckoff, Texas had the chance to clinch the victory early in the top of the fourth. In the potentially game-winning moment was Brady Fielder on Buzz. The charismatic Australian, however, came down in an uncharacteristic 1.92 seconds, keeping Florida’s hopes of a win alive. While the Freedom had a brief reprieve, they found themselves in a must-ride position in the bottom of the fourth, down by two scores with just two riders remaining. In the high-pressure out for Florida was Elizmar Jeremias atop Levy. Bursting from the chutes inside Gas South Arena, Jeremias appeared to be in sync with his animal athlete opponent, but at the 3.04-second mark he was whipped to the ground, cementing the win for Texas. The game then concluded with a Rattlers buckoff, as Daniel Keeping was bested by Washita Red in 4.16 seconds, while Florida prevented a scoreless loss as closer John Crimber rode Bandito Bug for 87.75 points, the high-marked ride of the game. When the dust settled, Texas won by 86.5 points, knocking off Florida 174.25-87.75. Via the win, Texas improved to 1-0 in Georgia and 2-1 this season, rising from No. 6 to No. 5 in the league. They are next slated to take on the Arizona Ridge Riders when gameplay continues from the Peach State on Saturday, July 27. The Freedom, who slipped from No. 5 to No. 6 in the standings, now 0-1 in Duluth and 1-2 in 2024, will look to rebound against the Kansas City Outlaws.

Austin Gamblers Log First Game Win of 2024 Season with Victory Against the New York Mavericks on Opening Night of PBR Camping World Team Series Action in Duluth, Georgia

Austin Gamblers: 260.75

New York Mavericks: 0.00

The two-time regular-season PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series Champion Austin Gamblers regained their title-contending form Friday evening in Duluth, Georgia, logging their first game win of the 2024 campaign as they beat the New York Mavericks by three ride scores, 260.75-0.00. After an uncharacteristically unsuccessful opening weekend to the season, the Gamblers began their outing in Duluth with a statement out. In the lead-off position for Austin, Dalton Kasel gave his team a quick lead, covering Mighty Mike for 88.75 points. Also looking to put distance between themselves and a dismal first weekend of competition, New York looked to Leandro Machado to give them early points aboard Snuggles. The Mavericks’ opener, however, failed to deliver, hitting the ground in 1.74 seconds. In the top of the second, the Gamblers matched red-hotEzekiel Mitchell, fresh off his Challenger Series win in Cheyenne, Wyoming, with Dark Thoughts. While Mitchell burst from the chutes centered, he was quickly unseated, hitting the ground in 2.77 seconds, with the scoreboard remaining unchanged. New York again faltered in the bottom of the second, this time with Braidy Randolph brought down in a close 6.87 seconds by Coco. In the top of the third, while Kaique Pacheco appeared to have covered Mr. Nightlinger for the Gamblers, the clock had stopped at the 0.98-second mark. Upon official review, Pacheo was awarded his first qualified ride for the Gamblers, marked 83.75 points, but the team was given the option of a re-ride. In a business decision, the Gamblers, under the leadership of World Champions Michael Gaffney and Adriano Moraes, elected to keep the score, extending their lead to 172.5 points. In the bottom of the frame, New York suffered their third buckoff in as many attempts as Mauricio Moreira hit the ground at the 3.26-second mark atop Manaba. In the top of the fourth, Austin had the chance to clinch the game win early. In the potentially game-winning moment was Ramon de Lima on Coach. While Lima is known to excel when a bull turns into his hand, Coach emerged the more dominant athlete in the showdown, with Lima throttled to the dirt in 3.23 seconds, opening the door for New York. In the bottom of the fourth, Davi Henrique da Lima, the first-ever rider to cover for New York, was in a must-ride position as he settled in aboard Wishful Thinking. After diligent preparations in the chutes, Lima nodded, and while he matched the initial jumps by his animal athlete counterpart, he came down in 3.52 seconds, delivering the Gamblers their first win of the season. With the win in hand, Gamblers closer and two-time PBR Teams MVP Jose Vitor Leme put the cherry on top, capping his team’s victory with an 88.25-point ride on Shivers. The five-on-five showdown then concluded with Ernie Courson on Come Apart in his debut out for the Mavericks. Courson, however, was unable to prevent New York from suffering a shut-out loss, hitting the ground inside Gas South Arena in 5.15 seconds. As both teams returned to the locker room, Austin celebrated a 260.75-0 win against New York, allowing them to climb from No. 8 to No. 9 in the league. Now 1-1 in Georgia and 1-2 across 2024, the Gamblers will look to continue their momentum when game play continues Saturday, July 27, as they take on the Carolina Cowboys. Still seeking their first game win, the No. 10 New York Mavericks, 0-1 inside Gas South Arena and 0-4 in 2024, will have a bye on the second night of the first neutral-site event.

Three-Time PBR World Champion Silvano Alves Propels Nashville Stampede to Walk-Off Win Against the Kansas City Outlaws on First Night of Camping World Team Series Games in Duluth, Georgia

Nashville Stampede: 257.5

Kansas City Outlaws: 175.75

On Friday night in Duluth, Georgia, the Nashville Stampede recorded the first walk-off win of the 2024 PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series season as they delivered Kansas City the team’s first loss of the campaign. Nashville closer Silvano Alves delivered his squad an 81.75-point win against Kansas City, as the Stampede defeated the Outlaws 257.5-175.75. The game began in slow form as Kansas City and Nashville exchanged buckoffs in the first. After Koltin Hevalow came down in 2.51 seconds on Arctic Lights for the Outlaws, Ednelio Almeida was upended in 3.8 seconds by My Bad for the Stampede. In the top of the second, Kansas City looked to Sandro Batista aboard Abracadabra to give them their first points. While Batista was called for a 4.64-second buckoff, the Outlaws’ Head Coach J.W. Hart challenged the call, believing the bull had fouled himself. Upon official review, PBR’s judges found no foul, with the no-score remaining, causing Kansas City to lose their challenge for the remainder of the game. Hopeful to become the first team to convert, Stampede Head Coach Justin McBride tasked Mason Taylor with Cowtown Slim. Taylor, however, didn’t deliver for his team, hitting the ground in 5.15 seconds. Kansas City continued to falter in the top of the third. Julio Cesar Marques proved quick work for Electric Kitty, tossed in 5.1 seconds. The streak of buckoffs then came to an end in the bottom of the third. Nashville Stampede powerhouse Alan de Souza conquered Flint Stone to give his team an 84.75-point lead entering the fourth. As the penultimate round of outs got underway, Bob Mitchell looked to put points on the board for Kansas City as he squared off against Body Roc. While Mitchell failed to make the whistle, the Outlaws were awarded a re-ride, which Head Coach Hart assigned to Brennon Eldred. Nashville’s momentum continued to roll in the bottom of the frame. Young gun Kaiden Loud matched bovine athlete Big Hawk jump-for-jump en route to the whistle, marked 83.5 points to grow Nashville’s lead to 168.25. Kansas City closer Cassio Dias then found himself in a must-ride position on Desperado, needing to convert to keep his team’s hopes of victory alive. The reigning PBR World Champion burst from the chutes, delivering for his team, dialing in to make the 8 for 87.25 points. The Outlaws remained atop the chutes as they readied for Eldred to attempt their re-ride bull Blue Suede Shoes, needing a score in excess of 81 points to remain in the hunt for the win. Coming off the bench with ease, Eldred went to work atop Blue Suede Shoes, making the whistle for 88.5 points to give the Outlaws a 7.5-point lead as the scoreboard read 175.75-168.25. The game then came down to Nashville closer and three-time PBR World Champion Alves on Woody. After being put on the clock, Alves nodded his head with just seven seconds remaining. The veteran then put on a show. Locked in atop Woody, Alves logged a walk-off, game-best, 89.25-point score, met by raucous cheer from the Peach State crowd. Via the crucial score, Nashville won by 81.75 points as the final scoreboard read a 257.5-175.75 win against Kansas City. The win allowed Nashville to climb from No. 7 to No. 6 in the league, now 1-0 in Georgia and 2-2 throughout 2024. Following the victory, Nashville will next have their first bye of the season as gameplay continues on Saturday, July 27. The league No. 2 Kansas City Outlaws, 0-1 inside Gas South Arena and now 2-1 this season, will look to rebound when they play the Florida Freedom.

PBR Teams No. 1 Carolina Cowboys Remain Undefeated, Knocking Off the Previously Unbeaten Arizona Ridge Riders at the First Night of League Gameplay in Duluth, Georgia

Carolina Cowboys: 174.5

Arizona Ridge Riders: 0.00

In the most anticipated game of the night, the first round of neutral-site PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series competition concluded with a clash of titans as two of the league’s then-undefeated teams, the No. 1 Carolina Cowboys and No. 2 Arizona Ridge Riders, went head-to-head. Courtesy of late-game conversions from Adriano Salgado and Daylon Swearingen, the Carolina Cowboys outlasted the scoreless Arizona Ridge Riders, 174.5-0, to remain No. 1 in the league, now the only undefeated squad in PBR Teams at a perfect 3-0. The showdown of the league’s early-season powerhouses began with a talent-packed opening frame, with 2021 Rookie of the Year Eli Vastbinder out first for Arizona and 2016 World Champion Cooper Davis again in the lead-off role for Carolina. Both veterans, however, stumbled, as Vastbinder was brought down in 3.04 seconds by Norse God and Davis was slung by Boomerang in 2.61 seconds. Arizona and Carolina again exchanged no-scores in the second, as Eduardo Aparecido and Derek Kolbaba, respectively, were unable to make the whistle for their teams. The Ridge Riders remained scoreless in the top of the third, with their mid-game rider JaCauy Hale bested by Punchy Pete in 6.2 seconds. Carolina then struck in the bottom of the frame. Team newcomer Adriano Salgado made the requisite 8 atop Air Marshall to give his team a quick 87-point lead. While Arizona appeared poised to respond in the top of the fourth, Keyshawn Whitehorse was ultimately unseated at the 6.6-second mark by Slingin’ It, giving Carolina the chance to clinch the game win early in the bottom of the fourth. Carolina walked through the door opened by their opponents with ease, as Daylon Swearingen delivered the Cowboys the victory compliments of an 87.5-point ride on Stryker. While neither team covered in the fifth, the result of the game was already determined, with Carolina beating Arizona 174.5-0. Carolina is now the only undefeated team in 2024, firmly ranked No. 1 in the league with a 3-0 record, a perfect 1-0 in Georgia. They will look to continue their winning ways when gameplay continues on Saturday, July 27, inside Gas South Arena when they take on the Austin Gamblers. Arizona, who is now 0-1 in the Peach State and 2-1 in 2024, slipping from No. 2 to No. 4 in the league, will next play the reigning PBR Teams Champion Texas Rattlers.

DULUTH TEAM STANDINGS – JULY 26:

Here are the Team standings for the first day of competition for the Camping World Team Series PBR event in Duluth, Georgia:

1. Nashville Stampede, 1-0-0-346
2. Austin Gamblers, 1-0-0-260.75
3. Carolian Cowboys, 1-0-0-174.5
4. Texas Rattlers, 1-0-0-174.25
5. Kansas City Outlaws, 0-1-0-175.75
6. Florida Freedom, 0-1-0-87.75
7. Arizona Ridge Riders, 0-1-0-0.00
8. New York Mavericks, 0-1-0.00

PBR TEAMS SEASON STANDINGS:

Here are the current Team standings for the regular season after the first day of competition for the PBR Camping World Team Series in Duluth, Georgia:

1. Carolina Cowboys, 3-0-0-783.75
2. Kansas City Outlaws, 2-1-0-614.25
3. Oklahoma Wildcatters, 2-1-0-575.25
4. Arizona Ridge Riders, 2-1-0-513
5. Texas Rattlers, 2-1-0-435.5
6. Nashville Stampede, 2-2-0-684
7. Florida Freedom, 1-2-0-605.25
8. Austin Gamblers, 1-2-0-434.75
9. Missouri Thunder, 1-2-0-347.25
10. New York Mavericks, 0-4-0-82.5

JULY 27 GAME SCHEDULE:

Here are the game matchups for the second day of PBR Camping World Team Series action in Duluth, Georgia, on Saturday, July 27:

Carolina Cowboys @ Austin Gamblers

Florida Freedom @ Kansas City Outlaws

Oklahoma Wildcatters @ Missouri Thunder

Texas Rattlers @ Arizona Ridge Riders

Note: The Nashville Stampede and New York Mavericks will have byes on July 27.

About the PBR Camping World Team Series:

The PBR Camping World Team Series is an elite league featuring the world’s top bull riders competing on teams in five-on-five games leading to a Team Championship at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. During the 2024 season, the league’s third, each of the 10 teams – Austin Gamblers of Austin, TX; Arizona Ridge Riders of Glendale, AZ; Carolina Cowboys of Greensboro, NC; Florida Freedom of Sunrise, FL; Kansas City Outlaws of Kansas City, MO; Nashville Stampede of Nashville, TN; New York Mavericks of Brooklyn, NY; OK; Oklahoma Wildcatters of Oklahoma City, OK; Missouri Thunder of Springfield, MO; and Texas Rattlers of Fort Worth, TX– will host a homestand. Neutral-site games in Anaheim, CA and Duluth, GA are planned as well.

PBR Teams, launched in July 2022, builds on the existing structure of professional bull riding with the same basic rules for judging and scoring qualified 8-second bull rides. In events staged in a tournament-style format, all teams compete in head-to-head matchups against a different opponent each day. Each game features five riders per team squaring off against another team. Full team rosters are comprised of seven riders on the Protected Roster and five Reserve riders. The team with the highest aggregate score of qualified rides among its riders is declared the winner of each game. All PBR Teams events are carried on either the CBS Television Network, streaming live on Paramount+, or Merit Street Media.