March 1, 2008

Eubank eliminates Murphy, Toughest Cowboy title and deed to Jäger Ranch up for grabs

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The 2008 Toughest Cowboy™ Playoffs didn’t lack for excitement at the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tenn. Now down to the top eight cowboys the importance of a win was never so vital. The format for the Playoffs was simple – win and move one step closer to answering the question, “Who will win Toughest Cowboy Ranch?” Lose and kiss your hopes of winning the ranch goodbye.

The rodeo revolution kicked off with the best match-up of the season, the top seeded Bandy Murphy matched against the eighth seeded Chad Eubank, who re-entered the competition following an injury to B.J. Schumacher in Tournament 7. Murphy knew he would have his work cut out for him with the talented Eubank back in the line-up. The first win went to Eubank after he posted a score of 84 points in the bareback riding compared to Murphy’s 81-point ride.

Down 1-0 the Home Depot cowboy looked to pull even with the Super Clean cowboy in the saddle bronc riding. However, when the judges had finished tabulating the scores it was Eubank edging Murphy by four points. There was still hope for Murphy, who had led the standings all year, as he entered the bull riding. Murphy needed to outdistance Eubank by eight points to not only win the bull riding but pick up a bonus win in the aggregate. If Murphy could tie Eubank 2-2, then Murphy would get the ultimate win based on his higher seeding from the season.

With the stage set for a dramatic finish, the chute gate opened for Eubank where he took care of business and posted an 87-point ride. As a result, Murphy would need to post a 95-point ride on Rock Hound in order to get the bull riding win, the bonus win, and keep his hopes alive for a chance at riding for the Ranch. The Oklahoma cowboy had a very impressive bull ride and the judges marked him a season high 90 points, but he fell five points short of surpassing Eubank in the aggregate and his season came to a crashing halt in a matter of eight seconds.

For Eubank, the win gave him new life and greatly increased his chances of moving one step closer to owning Toughest Cowboy Ranch.

“It was an important win for me and it felt so much better because I had my grandmother, my aunt and uncle and my dad here tonight to watch me,” said Eubank following his dramatic win in Nashville. “The win came at the right time, right place and in front of the right people, so it was very special to me. People ask me about the ranch, but I try to just take it one ride at a time and whatever happens, happens.”

Shane Proctor, who entered the Playoffs as the second seed was matched against seventh seeded Jared Green. Green jumped out to the early lead picking up the win in the bareback riding after edging Proctor by three points. It was another close event in the saddle bronc riding with the win going to Proctor this time with an 84-point ride to Green’s 81. So it all came down to the bull riding and Proctor needed a “W” to advance to the Championship round. Despite fighting the flu, Proctor was able to get the win over Green outscoring him by 21 points and taking the match 3-1. With Murphy eliminated, Proctor becomes the odds on favorite to win the ranch.

With two spots secured in the Championship round, two more remained to be filled. In the third match of the night it was Erik Wolford against Clovis Crane. Wolford jumped out to the early lead picking up wins in both the bareback and saddle bronc riding with scores of 82 and 80, respectively. Crane was down 2-0 heading into the bull riding but there was a lot of try left in Crane. After an early exit in the bull riding for Wolford it was Crane who picked up the win and when the scores were tabulated, Crane also picked up the win in total points. So the match was tied 2-2 and being that it was the Playoffs the tie had to be broken. The tiebreaker in this instance went back to the overall season standings and it was Wolford who got the ultimate win to advance to the Championship round in Columbus, Ohio.

Trey Broussard, who was coming off a big win in St. Paul, needed another big win in Nashville to keep his hopes alive for winning the Ranch. Broussard was matched against Nelson Tsosie, and Tsosie picked up the first win after outscoring Broussard by 14 points in the bareback riding. However, the Cajun cowboy wouldn’t go away that easy and came back to win the saddle bronc riding. With the match tied 1-1 heading into the final event of bull riding, it was anyone’s game. Broussard covered his bull and tallied 83 points, setting the bar pretty high for Tsosie. Unfortunately for Tsosie, he was bucked off his bull well before the eight second whistle and the bull riding and match win went to Broussard.

With that the field is now set for the Championship Round in Columbus with Proctor, Wolford, Eubank and Broussard all in contention for the 2008 Toughest Cowboy title and one of them will ultimately grabbing the deed to the Toughest Cowboy Ranch.

2008 Playoff Results
Nashville, Tenn.

Match 1
Chad Eubank vs. Bandy Murphy – 3 wins to 1 win; 251 total points to 247 points; Eubank advances to championship

Match 2
Jared Green vs. Shane Proctor – 1 win to 3 wins; 174 points to 195 points; Proctor advances to championship

Match 3
Clovis Crane vs. Erik Wolford – 2 wins to 2 wins; 199 points to 190 points; Wolford advances to championship*
*Tiebreaker reverted back to season standings and Wolford had the higher season total

Match 4
Trey Broussard vs. Nelson Tsosie – 3 wins to 1 win; 198 points to 141 points; Broussard advances to championship