No. 2 Carolina Cowboys rally in second Last Chance Game, earning the final Semifinals bid and eliminating the No. 4 Texas Rattlers and No. 6 Missouri Thunder from the 2024 postseason
By Kacie Albert
LAS VEGAS – As the 2024 PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Teams Championship continued with another elimination round Saturday night in Las Vegas, the league’s reigning MVP John Crimber is earning the new league’s nickname, “Mr. October.”
Crimber once again delivered a walk-off playoffs win for the Florida Freedom, this time sending the team to the Semifinals, joined by the No. 1 Kansas City Outlaws and No. 5 Austin Gamblers, who also won their Round 2 games. The second Last Chance Game was dominated by the No. 2 Carolina Cowboys, who won the three-way showdown with ease, eliminating the No. 4 Texas Rattlers and No. 6 Missouri Thunder.
“I want to say it’s my talent, but it’s the man upstairs who blessed me with this ability,” Crimber said moments after his winning ride. “His plans are bigger than ours, and I’m just going to go with Him.”
For the second consecutive night, 2024 PBR Teams MVP Crimber delivered the No. 3 Florida Freedom a come-from-behind victory, this time propelling them to victory against the league’s reigning Champion and this regular season’s No. 4 Texas Rattlers as they earned the first direct berth to the tournament’s Semifinals.
In one of the closest games of the night, the Freedom led the Rattlers by one ride score and 86.25 points, 259.5-173.25, ahead of the fifth. For Florida, Alex Cerqueira, Yan Victor Cunha and Thiago Salgado made the requisite 8, while Brady Fielder and Daniel Keeping converted for Texas.
To begin the fifth, Texas faced a must-ride position as Montanha attempted his re-ride draw Chuck, earned in the third. The affable Brazilian made the 8 for 87.75 points to put the Rattlers ahead by 1.5 points, 261-259.5.
Florida’s playoff fate then rested in the hands of Crimber on Mo Money. Bursting from the chutes inside T-Mobile arena, the teenage phenom made the whistle with ease, marked a game-best 89.75 points to clinch the win in come-from-behind fashion for Florida.
Florida won by 88.25 points, 349.25-261, earning the first direct berth to the Semifinals. Texas returned to the locker room to regroup for the second Last Chance Game.
After battling through Friday night’s Last Chance Game, the No. 5 Austin Gamblers rode with a rejuvenated form in Round 2, upsetting the No. 2 Carolina Cowboys with ease, 349.75-166.
The Gamblers’ 4-for-5 effort, featuring qualified rides from Kaique Pacheco, Dalton Kasel, Ramon de Lima and Jose Vitor Leme, was too much for Carolina, which only had scores logged by Cooper Davis and Derek Kolbaba, to overcome.
Austin’s win secured the second berth to the Semifinals, while Carolina joined Texas in the second Last Chance Game.
Making their 2024 postseason debut, the No. 1 Kansas City Outlaws beat the No. 5 Missouri Thunder with ease, 262.5-88, to earn the final direct berth to the Semifinals.
Kansas City’s win against their in-state rival was headlined by scores from Koltin Hevalow, Sandro Batista and Cassio Dias. While Missouri staved off a scoreless defeat, their one score from Paulo Eduardo Rossetto was not enough to prevent their trip to the second Last Chance Game.
The evening then concluded with the second Last Chance Game. Dominating the three-way game, the No. 2 Carolina Cowboys advanced with ease, eliminating the No. 4 Texas Rattlers and No. 6 Missouri Thunder, 178.75-0.00-0.00. Carolina’s postseason dreams were kept alive courtesy of scores from Kolbaba and Davis.
The 2024 PBR Camping World Teams Championship concludes Sunday, Oct. 20 at 12 p.m. PT, when the following teams will face off:
No. 1 Kansas City Outlaws vs. No. 5 Austin Gamblers
No. 2 Carolina Cowboys vs. No. 3 Florida Freedom
Third-Place Game (Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser)
Championship Game (Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner)
CBS Television Network will broadcast the first Semifinal Game on Sunday, October 20, at 3 p.m. ET.
Merit Street Media and PBR+ will broadcast all the remaining action from the final day of the season-ending tournament beginning at 4 p.m. ET.
SCORE BULLETINS
2024 PBR Teams MVP John Crimber Delivers Second Consecutive Walk-Off Win for the No. 3 Florida Freedom, Beating the No. 4 Texas Rattlers to Advance to the Semifinals of the Teams Championship
Texas Rattlers: 261
Florida Freedom: 349.25
For the second consecutive night in Las Vegas inside T-Mobile Arena, 2024 PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Teams MVP John Crimber propelled his Florida Freedom to a walk-off win, beating the league’s reigning Champion Texas Rattlers by 88.25 points, 349.25-261, advancing to the Semifinals of the 2024 Camping World Teams Championship. Texas began the game with a bang. Brady Fielder gave the Rattlers a quick 86.75-point lead as he went the distance on Mahan. Florida, however, was fast to respond. In the bottom of the first, it cut Texas’s lead to 3 points courtesy of an 83.75-point ride from Alex Cerqueira atop Mama’s Boy. The Rattlers grew their lead back to a full ride score and 89.5 points as the second got underway. Daniel Keeping delivered the team’s second score in as many attempts, riding Crazy Times for 86.5 points. Florida then became the first team to stumble. To conclude the frame, Joao Lucas Campos was brought down in a close 7.96 seconds by Lever Action. In the top of the third, Texas earned a re-ride during Claudio Montanha Jr.’s trip with Stone Cold Gangster. Florida reclaimed their converting form from the start of the game as they attempted their third bull. Yan Victor Cunha rode American You for 87.25 points, propelling Florida within 2.25 points of tying the game. Given the re-ride opportunity, Texas attempted back-to-back outs to begin the fourth. After Marcelo Procopio Periera bucked off Horn Dog in 6.42 seconds, Joao Ricardo Vieira bucked off Umm at the 6.12-second mark. To conclude the fourth, Florida took their first lead of the game. Thiago Salgado conquered Grey Fox for 88.5 points, propelling the Freedom to an 86.25-point lead as the scoreboard read 259.5-173.25. Texas then faced a must-ride position to begin the fifth as Montanha settled in aboard re-ride draw Chuck. Delivering for his team when they needed it most, Montaha made the whistle with ease, awarded a crucial 87.75 points to put Texas back on top by a margin of 1.5 points, 261-259.5. The game then came down to Florida closer, and teenage phenom Crimber aboard Mo Money. Less than 24 hours prior, Crimber had found himself in a similar position, delivering for his team to carry them to victory against the New York Mavericks. Bursting from the chutes in Sin City, Crimber was a near picture of perfection, making the whistle as his teammates burst into celebration. Marked a game-best 89.75 points, No. 3 Florida won in come-from-behind form for the second consecutive night, 349.25-261. Via the win, the Florida Freedom earned the first direct berth to the Semifinals, while No. 4 Texas returned to the locker room to regroup for the tournament’s second Last Chance Game.
Austin Gamblers Trounce the Carolina Cowboys by Two Ride Scores to Advance to the Semifinals of the 2024 PBR Teams Championship
Austin Gamblers: 349.75
Carolina Cowboys: 166
After having to battle through the Last Chance Game less than 24 hours prior, the No. 5 Austin Gamblers rode in rejuvenated form Saturday evening, upsetting the No. 2 Carolina Cowboys with ease, victorious by two ride scores and 183.75 points, 349.75-166. The game began in fast form. Austin jumped to a quick 89.25-point lead in the top of the first courtesy of a qualified ride from their opener, Kaique Pacheco, atop Eyes On Me. Carolina responded quickly. They overtook the game lead by 1.25 points following a monster 90.5-point ride from Cooper Davis on Hunting Trip. In the top of the second, the Gamblers were awarded a re-ride after Soul Train fouled himself during his out with Ramon de Lima. While Carolina also earned a re-ride in the bottom of the frame, they elected to keep Derek Kolbaba’s 75.5-point score on Red Reckoning, growing their lead to 76.75 points, 166-89.25. To begin the middle round of outs, Austin initially celebrated a qualified ride from Lucas Divino on Rockville, but Carolina Head Coach Jerome Davis challenged the call, suspecting a slap. Upon careful review, PBR’s officials found a slap at the 5.5-second mark, resulting in no score for Austin. Given the re-ride earned in the second, Austin’s fourth man, Dalton Kasel, next took to the chutes to attempt Snuggles. Reversing the Gamblers’ fortunes, Kasel made the whistle for 88.25 points to give his team back the lead by 11.5 points, 177.5-166. To close the third, Carolina earned a re-ride as Magic Fire fouled himself during his trip with Andrei Scoparo. The fourth frame opened with Austin attempting its re-ride, paring Lima with Wasted Nights. Continuing the Gamblers’ momentum, Lima conquered his animal athlete opponent for 83 points. Via the score, Austin’s lead grew to a full ride score and 94.5 points, as the scoreboard updated to 260.5-166. The Cowboys then turned to 2022 PBR World Champion Daylon Swearingen on Barbarosa to give them their third score. Nodding with confidence, Swearingen initially appeared centered but was whipped down at the 7.66-second mark. Carolina remained atop the chutes as Sage Steele Kimzey moved up in the buck order given his re-ride. Kimzey was paired with a familiar opponent in Preachers Kid, who he rode for 91 points en route to winning the 2024 PBR World Finals event title in May. Kimzey, however, was unable to repeat his past success, hitting the ground at the 5.5-second mark. The buckoff then gave Austin the chance to clinch the game win early. In the possible game-winning moment was two-time PBR World Champion and two-time PBR Teams MVP Jose Vitor Leme on Wooderson. Delivering for his team, Leme matched the bull jump-for-jump, awarded 89.25 points to punch Austin’s ticket to the Semifinals. While Carolina was hopeful they could conclude the game with a score, Dawson Branton was unable to get past the team’s re-ride bull, Mr. Wilson, hitting the dirt after 6.39 seconds. At game’s end, the No. 5 Austin Gamblers earned the upset win by 183.75 points, 349.75-166. The Gamblers earned the second berth to the 2024 PBR Camping World Teams Championship Semifinals, while the Carolina Cowboys’ postseason fate would be determined in the second Last Chance Game.
No. 1 Kansas City Outlaws Outride the No. 5 Missouri Thunder by Two Ride Scores, Advancing to the Semifinals of the 2024 PBR Camping World Teams Championship
Missouri Thunder: 88
Kansas City Outlaws: 262.5
In their 2024 postseason debut, the No. 1 Kansas City Outlaws outrode their in-state rival and No. 5 Missouri Thunder by two ride scores and 174.5 points, 262.5-88, to advance to the Semfinals of the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Teams Championship. Missouri began the game with a statement, jumping to a quick 88-point lead asPaulo Eduardo Rossetto conquered Fierce’s Dirtnap. Kansas City matched the momentum in the bottom of the frame. The Outlaws’ opener, Koltin Hevalow. rode Smoke Down for 88.25 points, putting Kansas City ahead by 0.25 points. The Thunder’s momentum was snapped in the second, unable to retake the lead as Boudreaux Campbell came down in 3.51 seconds on Nefarious. Kansas City covered in the bottom of the second, but elected to take a re-ride opportunity after Maikon Calixton Rocha was marked just 19.5 points on Shot in the Dark. PBR’s animal athletes dominated the third, in addition to dispatching Kansas City’s re-ride contender Heitor Santos Ferreira, as the scoreboard went unchanged ahead of the fourth. Missouri was hopeful Dawson Gleaves could reverse their momentum, but he was called for a slap at the 2.9-second mark atop July, resulting in no score. The Outlaws, however, rebounded. They extended their lead to 89.5 points courtesy of an 89.25-point ride from Sandro Batista on DirtyBru. As the fifth began, Missouri faced a must-ride position, needing a score of 89.75 points or more to stave off defeat. In the high-pressure out was Thunder closer Andrew Alvidrez paired with Exodus. Bursting from the chutes inside T-Mobile Arena, Alvidrez initially appeared centered but was brought off center at the 6.91-second mark, cementing the win for the Kansas City Outlaws. The regular season No. 1 Outlaws then punctuated their victory with an 85-point score from their closer and 2024 PBR World Champion Cassio Dias atop Do Dat Eddie. At game’s end, the Kansas City Outlaws beat their in-state rival Missouri Thunder by 174.5 points, 262.5-88, to earn the final direct berth to the Semifinals. For the Thunder, they took the final spot in the second Last Chance Game as they looked to keep their postseason dreams alive.
No. 2 Carolina Cowboys Dominate Second Last Chance Game, Earning Final Semifinal Berth of the 2024 PBR Camping World Teams Championship
Texas Rattlers: 0.00
Carolina Cowboys: 178.75
Missouri Thunder: 0.00
The No. 2 Carolina Cowboys rebounded in triumphant form during Saturday night’s Last Chance Game at the 2024 PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Teams Championship, winning the special round to earn the tournament’s final Semifinal berth, eliminating the No. 4 Texas Rattlers and No. 6 Missouri Thunder from the postseason. PBR’s animal athletes dominated the first frame, tossing Missouri’s Felipe Furlan, Carolina’s Trey Benton III and Texas’s Daniel Keeping. In the second, while Missouri and Texas remained scoreless, Carolina became the first to break through, overtaking the game lead by 89.5 points as Derek Kolbaba went the distance atop Reality Check. After a scoreless third, the game would be determined in the fourth. To begin the frame, Missouri remained scoreless as Briggs Madsen was throttled to the ground in 2.37 seconds by Ghost Face. Carolina then took to the chutes as Cooper Davis settled in atop Black Tie. The 2016 PBR World Champion delivered Carolina’s second score, marked 89.25 points. Not only did the ride grow Carolina’s aggregate total to 178.75 points, but it also eliminated the Missouri Thunder from the postseason. In the very next out, Texas faced a must-ride situation, trailing by two scores with two outs remaining. Marcelo Procopio Periera burst from the chutes atop Ridin’ Salty but was launched at the 2.52-second mark. The buckoff eliminated the Rattlers from the tournament and clinched the final Semifinals berth for the Carolina Cowboys, who won the second Last Chance Game 178.75-0.00-0.00.
October 20 Game Schedule:
Here are the game matchups for the final day of action for the 2024 PBR Camping World Teams Championship on Sunday, Oct. 20:
No. 1 Kansas City Outlaws vs. No. 5 Austin Gamblers
No. 2 Carolina Cowboys vs. No. 3 Florida Freedom
Third-Place Game (Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser)
Championship Game (Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner)
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.
PBR is part of Endeavor, a global sports and entertainment company. For more information, visit PBR.com, or follow on Facebook at Facebook.com/PBR, Twitter at Twitter.com/PBR, and YouTube at YouTube.com/PBR.
PBR+ is a brand-new streaming subscription service offering unprecedented access to PBR & Rodeo video content, including live events, replays, and on-demand. Viewers can download the PBR+ App in the IOS and Android App Store or on Apple TV and Android TV, Roku, and Fire TV. PBR+ subscriptions are $9.99/month or $79.99/year. However, fans can enjoy a free trial until January 1, 2025, by visiting PBRplus.com.
Viewers can also 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.