Oklahoma Freedom Earn Second Consecutive Walk-Off Win at Freedom Fest Against Texas Rattlers

By: Kacie Albert

Oklahoma Freedom: 90.25 / Texas Rattlers: 83.25

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.

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.

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