Austin Gamblers and Missouri Thunder also earn electric walk-off wins Saturday night for PBR Freedom Days inside Amerant Bank Arena
By Kacie Albert
SUNRISE, Fla. – The Florida Freedom registered a thrilling walk-off victory Saturday night during their PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series homestand in Sunrise, Florida, beating the then league No. 2 Oklahoma Wildcatters compliments of a key bottom of the fifth ride from closer and generational talent John Crimber.
Early on, the bulls dominated to prevent the Freedom and Wildcatters from converting through the first three frames.
Oklahoma was the first team to convert, as Clay Guiton gave them a key 85.75-point lead in the top of the fourth. After the Freedom’s Elizmar Jeremias bucked off in the bottom of the frame, the Wildcatters had the chance to clinch the win early, but Josh Frost bucked off in 6.79 seconds opening the door for Florida to win in come-from-behind form.
The game then came down to Crimber atop Bambino. Conquering the bull with ease, Crimber reached the whistle as the electric crowd inside the home of the NHL’s 2024 Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers erupted in boisterous cheer. Crimber was marked 86.5 points to clinch the win for Florida.
As the final scoreboard read an 86.5-85.75 Freedom win, Florida improved to 1-1 at their homestand and 2-4 this season rising from No. 10 to No. 8 in the league. They will look to continue their winning ways when PBR Freedom Days concludes on Sunday, Aug. 4 when they play the Missouri Thunder.
Oklahoma’s loss put them at 1-1 in Florida and 4-3 this season. They fell from No. 2 to No. 3 in the league as they next get ready to play the PBR Teams No. 1, and undefeated Carolina Cowboys.
Saturday evening’s event featured two additional come-from-behind wins in the closing frames earned by the Austin Gamblers and Missouri Thunder.
The second night of PBR Freedom Days began with the showdown that determined the 2023 PBR Teams Champions, as the Austin Gamblers squared off against the reigning World Champion Texas Rattlers in the first iteration of the 2024 Texas Cup.
Austin was quick to strike in the second, with 2018 PBR World Champion Kaique Pacheco making the whistle with ease. While Texas responded in the top of the third, courtesy of a key score from Marcelo Procopio Pereira, it was not enough to overtake the lead. The Gamblers then continued their moment in the bottom of the fourth, as Ramon de Lima grew Austin’s lead to a full ride score, forcing Texas into a must-ride situation in the top of the fifth.
The Rattlers’ closer Daniel Keeping delivered for his team, covering Mighty Mike to give Texas a 2.25-point lead with one Austin rider remaining. That competitor, however, was two-time PBR Teams MVP Jose Vitor Leme. Arguably the best fifth man in the league, Leme delivered a picture-perfect, 86.75-point ride on Cooter Brown to give the Gamblers their first walk-off win of the season.
The final scoreboard read an 84.5-point Gamblers win, 259.5-175. Austin improved to 2-0 in Florida and 3-3 this season, next scheduled to play the 2022 PBR Teams Champion Nashville Stampede when PBR Freedom Days concludes on Sunday, Aug. 4. They rose one position in the league standings, climbing from No. 6 to No. 5.
The Rattlers, now 0-1 inside Amerant Bank Arena and 2-4 this season, will look to rebound when they next play the Kansas City Outlaws. With the loss, they slipped from No. 7 to No. 9 in the league.
The Missouri Thunder also earned a hard-fought win when their closer came up big on Saturday evening, defeating the scoreless Nashville Stampede 83.75-0.
After Silvano Alves failed to convert for the league’s 2022 Champion Stampede, Paulo Eduardo Rossetto answered the call for Missouri, delivering the Thunder the win via his 83.75-point ride on Free Willy.
Compliments of the win, the Missouri Thunder improved to 1-1 in Florida and 3-4 this season, rising from No. 8 to No. 7 in the league. The Nashville Stampede slipped to 0-1 in the Sunshine State and 3-3 across 2024. They fell from No. 3 to No. 6 in the PBR Teams standings.
The Arizona Ridge Riders rebounded from a loss Friday night, staving off a resurgent New York Mavericks by 4.25 points, winning 175.5-171.25.
Arizona won courtesy of scores from Bruno Carvalho and Keyshawn Whitehorse, which proved too much for New York’s Braidy Randolph and Leandro Machado to surpass.
Both the Arizona Ridge Riders and New York Mavericks went 1-1 in Florida and will have byes when PBR Freedom Days concludes. The Ridge Riders are now 4-3 this season, rising from No. 4 to No. 2 in the league via the win. The Mavericks are 2-5 and fell from No. 9 to No. 10 in the league.
Saturday’s event then concluded with the Shootout Round, featuring one rider from each of the winning teams. The Florida Freedom won the special round as Crimber, now a sizzling 6-for-7 on the season, delivered an unrivaled 89-point ride atop Whiplash.
PBR Freedom Days concludes Sunday, August 4, at 2:45 p.m. ET. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online at SeatGeek.com and PBR.com, at the Amerant 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 Freedom Days, with CBS carrying the Game of the Week on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET. 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
Jose Vitor Leme Propels Austin Gamblers to Walk Off Victory Against Texas Rattlers in First Iteration of the Texas Cup During Second Night of PBR Camping World Team Series Competition in Florida
Texas Rattlers: 175
Austin Gamblers: 259.5
In the first iteration of the 2024 Texas Cup, two-time league MVP Jose Vitor Leme propelled the Austin Gamblers to a thrilling walk-off win against their instate rival Texas Rattlers as PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series competition continued Saturday night in Sunrise, Florida. After having a bye on Friday night, the Texas Rattlers took to the chutes inside Amerant Bank Arena for the first time as Joao Ricardo Vieira took on Hoka Hey in the top of the first. Vieira, however, was called for a slap early in the out, with the clock stopping before the 2-second mark. Texas’ Head Coach Cody Lambert quickly challenged the call. Upon review by PBR’s officials, they confirmed the call made in arena, with Texas remaining scoreless and losing their challenge for the remainder of the game. In the bottom of the first, the Gamblers also struck out as Ezekiel Mitchell was bucked off by Spooky in 6.03 seconds. Texas again stumbled in the top of the second as Brady Oleson was tossed by Mr. Wilson in 6.91 seconds. Austin then became the first team in the bottom of the frame to convert as 2018 PBR World Champion Kaique Pacheco covered Big Chili to give the Gamblers an 88.75-point lead. Texas responded in fast form as Marcelo Procopio Pereira pulled the Rattlers within 2.25 points of the game lead courtesy of an 86.5-point effort aboard Cutting Edges Bandit. Austin couldn’t keep pace in the bottom of the third, as Callum Miller was tossed in 2.19 seconds by Pork Chop, leading the scoreboard to remain 88.75-86.5 in the Gamblers’ favor ahead of the fourth. Texas failed to overtake the lead in the top of the fourth as Brady Fielder was bested by Cold Creek in 4.56 seconds. Austin didn’t hesitate to grow their lead. In the very next out, Ramon de Lima grew the Gamblers’ margin over the Rattlers to 86.25 points as he rode Black Diamond for 84 points. The score forced the Rattlers into a must-ride position in the top of the fifth as their closer Daniel Keeping settled in on Mighty Mike. Nodding with confidence, Keeping erupted from the chutes, matching the powerful animal athlete with ease en route to the requisite 8. Keeping’s gritty effort was awarded 88.5 points, giving Texas their first lead of the game by 2.25 points. The result of the five-on-five showdown then came down to Austin’s closer Leme, paired with Cooter Brown. In what proved to be a perfect pairing, Leme covered the bull in seemingly picture-perfect form, delivering an 86.75-point ride to deliver Austin their second game win in the Sunshine State in walk-off form. When the dust settled, Austin beat the 2023 PBR Teams Champion Texas Rattlers by 84.5 points, 259.5-175. The Gamblers win avenged their loss to the Rattlers during the 2023 PBR Teams Championship game. Via the victory, the Gamblers improved to 2-0 in Florida and 3-3 this season as they ready to next play the 2022 PBR Teams Champion Nashville Stampede when PBR Freedom Days concludes on Sunday, Aug. 4, rising from No. 6 to No. 5 in the league. The Rattlers, now 0-1 inside Amerant Bank Arena and 2-4 this season, will look to rebound when they next play the Kansas City Outlaws, having slipped from No. 7 to No. 9 in the PBR Teams standings.
Arizona Ridge Riders Outlast Resurgent New York Mavericks to Win by 4.25 Points on Second Night of PBR Camping World Team Series Competition in Sunrise, Florida
Arizona Ridge Riders: 175.5
New York Mavericks: 171.25
The Arizona Ridge Riders staved off a resurgent New York Mavericks Saturday evening in Sunrise, Florida, holding on for a 4.25-point win, 175.5-171.25, as the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series event inside Amerant Bank Arena continued. Arizona set the tone for the game early. In the top of the first, Bruno Carvalho gave the Ridge Riders a quick 86.5-point lead as he went the distance atop Si. New York was eager to respond, but Mauricio Moreira was unable to get out of the chutes aboard No Socks and was awarded a re-ride. As the second frame got underway, Arizona failed to expand their lead as Eduardo Aparecido was tossed in 4.98 seconds by Pearl Snap. New York then looked to team newcomer Ernie Courson to give them their first score, but he was also awarded a re-ride after Cajun Brute fouled himself in the chutes. As the third got underway, Eli Vastbinder stumbled for Arizona, bested by Mongo in 2.7 seconds. New York then attempted their first re-ride, calling up Maverick Smith to take on Mike’s Motive, but the pairing was not successful as Smith hit the ground hard in 6.03 seconds. The Mavericks then earned their third re-ride of the game when Gravy fouled himself during his out with Davi Henrique da Lima. As the fourth got underway, Keyshawn Whitehorse increased Arizona’s lead to 175.5 points as he dominated Whacky Wizard for 89 points. The Mavericks then righted their momentum in the bottom of the frame, with Braidy Randolph covering Martini Houdini for 86 points, to climb within 89.5 points of tying the game. Before Arizona’s closer took to the chutes, Courson squared off against the team’s second re-ride Peterbilt. The Florida native, however, couldn’t get the job done, launched in 4.79 seconds as the scoreboard went unchanged. The Ridge Riders then prepared for their final out of the game as Luciano De Castro climbed atop Wild Card. After difficulties in the chutes, Castro called for the gate, but came down just past the 7-second mark. While Arizona challenged the call, PBR’s officials kept the buckoff in place, opening the door for New York to make a come-from-behind surge with two attempts remaining. First out for the Mavericks was Leandro Machado atop Johnny Rocket. Keeping his team’s hopes of victory alive, Machado rode the powerful animal athlete for 85.25 points to inch within 4.25 points of tying the game. The five-on-five showdown then came down to Lima on re-ride bull Boomerang. While he initially appeared centered, he hit the ground at the 4.14-second mark, clinching the win for Arizona. With the final scoreboard reading a 175.5-171.25 Ridge Rider victory, Arizona improved to 1-1 in Florida and 4-3 this season, rising from No. 4 to No. 2 in the league. They will have a bye on the final day of PBR Freedom Days on Sunday, Aug. 4. The New York Mavericks, who will also next have a bye, concluded their time in Florida 1-1, now with a 2-5 league record this season, falling from No. 9 to No. 10 in the league.
Missouri Thunder’s Closer Paulo Eduardo Rossetto Comes Through to Break a Scoreless Tie and Beat the Nashville Stampede on Second Night of PBR Camping World Team Series Action in Sunrise, Florida
Nashville Stampede: 0.00
Missouri Thunder: 83.75
On the second night of PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series competition in Sunrise, Florida, the Missouri Thunder scored the lone late-frame ride during a game in which the bulls dominated, beating the scoreless Nashville Stampede, 83.75-0.00. Following a Friday night bye, Nashville’s first out inside Amerant Bank Arena began in auspicious form. After Ednelio Almeida came down in a close 7.17 seconds on Geronimo, Stampede Head Coach Justin McBride challenged the out, believing the bull fouled himself. Upon review, PBR’s officials disagreed, with the no-score remaining in place and Nashville losing their ability to challenge the remainder of the game. Missouri also stumbled in their first out with Boudreaux Campbell brought down in a quick 3.33 seconds by Buckaroo. Nashville and Missouri then exchanged buckoffs in the second, as Alan de Souza was tossed in 6.87 seconds by Black Gold for Nashville and Grayson Cole was upended in 7.53 seconds by Gaucho for Missouri. Thunder Coaches Ross Coleman and Luke Snyder, however, challenged their call, believing Gaucho fouled himself. After careful inspection, PBR’s official agreed, awarding the Thunder a re-ride. The scoreboard then went unchanged through the third and fourth, including a no-score for Missouri as Cole attempted their re-ride draw Buck. During the two rounds, Missouri earned their second re-ride after Briggs Madsen was unable to get out of the chutes atop Jungle Cat. In the top of the fifth, Nashville closer Silvano Alves faced a must-ride position on Kenny, needing to deliver a score to keep the Stampede’s hopes of victory alive. Alves, however, came down in a quick 2.81 seconds, opening the door for Missouri to break the scoreless tie and win the game with two attempts remaining. First out was closer Paulo Eduardo Rossetto on Free Willy. Nodding with confidence, Rossetto reached the whistle with ease, awarded a game-winning 83.75 points. While the game ended with Madsen bucking off re-ride draw Air Marshall in 5.66 seconds, the final scoreboard read an 83.75-0 Missouri win. The Thunder improved to 1-1 this season and 3-4 in 2024, rising one position in the league from No. 8 to No. 7. They will next play the host Florida Freedom when PBR Freedom Days concludes on Sunday, Aug. 4. The Stampede are now 0-1 in Florida and 3-3 this season, falling from No. 3 to No. 6 in the league. They will look to rebound when they next play the Austin Gamblers.
John Crimber Earns Walk-Off Win for Florida Freedom Against the Oklahoma Wildcatters on Second Night of PBR Camping World Team Series Homestand in Sunrise, Florida at Amerant Bank Arena
Oklahoma Wildcatters: 85.75
Florida Freedom: 86.5
In front of a hometown crowd Saturday night inside Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, the Florida Freedom earned a thrilling walk-off win against the Oklahoma Wildcatters courtesy of a crucial bottom of the fifth ride from closer and generational talent John Crimber. The bulls were dominant early on, shutting out the Wildcatters and Freedom through the first three frames. Oklahoma then became the first team to convert. Clay Guiton gave the J.B. Mauney-led contingent from the Sooner State an 85.75-point lead as he rode Little Joe. In the bottom of the fourth, Florida failed to respond as Elizmar Jeremias came down in 4.26 seconds atop Hoobastank. Freedom Head Coach Paulo Crimber, however, threw his challenge flag, believing the bull fouled himself. Upon review by PBR’s officials, they discovered no foul, with the no-score remaining in place and Florida losing their ability to challenge for the remainder of the game. As the fifth got underway, Oklahoma had the chance to clinch the game win early by pulling two scores ahead with just one Florida rider remaining. In the possible victory-winning moment was the Wildcatters’ closer Josh Frost on Mo Money. While Frost appeared centered, he was unseated in a close 6.79 seconds, opening the door for Florida to win in walk-off fashion. The game then came down to generational talent, and teenage phenom John Crimber on Bambino for Florida. Crimber burst from the chutes, matching the powerful animal athlete jump-for-jump as he reached the requisite 8 and the hometown crowd erupted in raucous cheer. Awarded a crucial 86.5 points, Crimber earned his team the walk-off win by 0.75 points, 86.5-85.75. Via the win on the second night of PBR Freedom Days, the Florida Freedom improved to 1-1 in the Sunshine State and 2-4 this season. They rose two positions in the league standings, climbing from No. 9 to No. 7. They will look to conclude their homestand with a win when they next play the Missouri Thunder. The Oklahoma Wildcatters fell to 1-1 in Florida and 4-3 this season, slipping from No. 2 to No. 3 in the PBR Teams standings. They will look to rebound when they next play the undefeated and league No. 1 Carolina Cowboys on Sunday, Aug. 4 inside the home of the NHL’s 2024 Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers.
SUNRISE TEAM STANDINGS – AUGUST 3:
Here are the Team standings for the second day of competition for the PBR Camping World Team Series event in Sunrise, Florida:
- Florida Freedom, 1-0-0-175.5
- Austin Gamblers, 1-0-0-259.5
- Arizona Ridge Riders, 1-0-0-263.75
- Missouri Thunder, 1-0-0-83.75
- Texas Rattlers, 0-1-0-175
- New York Mavericks, 0-1-0-171.25
- Oklahoma Wildcatters, 0-1-0-85.75
- Nashville Stampede, 0-1-0-0.00
*Note: The Carolina Cowboys and Kansas City Outlaws had byes on August 3.
PBR TEAMS SEASON STANDINGS:
Here are the current Team standings for the regular season after the second day of competition for PBR Freedom Days in Sunrise, Florida:
- Carolina Cowboys, 6-0-0-1,484
- Arizona Ridge Riders, 4-3-0-1,291.75
- Oklahoma Wildcatters, 4-3-0-1,260.5
- Kansas City Outlaws, 3-3-0-1,053.5
- Austin Gamblers, 3-3-0-1,040.5
- Nashville Stampede, 3-3-0-942.75
- Missouri Thunder, 3-4-0-960
- Florida Freedom, 2-4-0-938
- Texas Rattlers, 2-4-0-782.5
- New York Mavericks, 2-5-0-513.75
AUGUST 4 GAME SCHEDULE:
Here are the game matchups for the final day of action for PBR Freedom Days on Sunday, August 4:
Texas Rattlers @ Kansas City Outlaws
Nashville Stampede @ Austin Gamblers
Oklahoma Wildcatters @ Carolina Cowboys
Florida Freedom @ Missouri Thunder
Note: The Arizona Ridge Riders and New York Mavericks will have byes on August 4.
About the Florida Freedom:
The Florida Freedom is based at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, joining NHL team tenant the Florida Panthers hockey club. The team, who competed in Oklahoma during the league’s first two seasons, will hold its inaugural Florida Freedom Days homestand on August 2-4. Freedom Days will mark the third event of the 2024 regular season for the PBR Camping World Team Series. The Florida Freedom is under the leadership of 10-time PBR World Finals qualifier and Head Coach Paulo Crimber, in addition to Owner and General Manager Heath Freeman. For more information about the Florida Freedom visit https://pbr.com/teams/florida-freedom, Florida Freedom on Facebook, @flfreedompbr on Instagram, or @FLFreedomPBR on Twitter.
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.
