Team Fluff and Team Ruff faced off in Puppy Bowl XV, but only one team could claim victory.
Puppy Bowl XV saw Team Fluff taking on Team Ruff in GEICO Stadium on Sunday afternoon in the biggest game in canine sports on national television via Animal Planet.
93 different players from 23 states, three countries and 51 different shelters and rescue organizations took part in the game.
Emmitt put Team Ruff on the scoreboard first with his juking, twisting scamper for the end zone. Brady answered for Team Fluff immediately afterward.
Clara the Corgi was called for the first penalty of the game for Excessive Bathing. Clara then created a diversion by taking off her bandanna, which allowed her teammate Dawn to score a touchdown.
In a Subaru Pup Close and Personal segment, we saw Flo visit San Diego’s Del Mar Dog Beach and learn about the world of canine surfing.
Emmitt found the end zone again late in the first quarter, knotting the scoreboard at 14.
In the second quarter, Costa Rica’s Marisol dashed from one end of the field to the other as she put the Fluffers ahead 21-14. That set up a nice transition into the Pup Close and Personal segment from her sanctuary, Territorio De Zaguates, which is featured in an episode of Netflix’s documentary series Dogs.
A risky defensive strategy paid off tor the Ruffers as the pressure led to Pistachio getting great field position and taking advantage of it, tying the game again. But not long after, Ace kicked a field goal to give the Fluffers the lead, 24-21. His teammate Bumble, a deaf and vision-impaired albino, also booted it through the pipes, making it a 27-21 game.
The Ruffers’ Harry then used a powerful spin move to put his team on top 28-27. Not to be outdone, Bumble then kicked another field goal to give her squad the 30-28 edge going into halftime.
The Clump and Seal Kitty Halftime Show featured the Atlanta Acro-Cats doing spectacular skateboard tricks, a performance by Adam Feline of Purr-oon 5, and an amazing domino display to cap everything off.
When the game got back underway, Team Ruff’s Sierra stole ball toy away from Fluff’s Remington and hit the end zone, giving her team the 35-30 advantage. She got pregame training advice from Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy. Team Fluff’s Maisey answered right back, however.
After a brief stoppage of play due to a lighting malfunction, the Ruffers’ Theadorable gave his teammates a rousing inspirational speech that fired Sierra up to hit the end zone again for the contest’s seventh lead change. Her teammate Bugsy added to the Ruffers’ edge with one quarter to play.
In the fourth, despite a small problem keeping his bandanna on, Pirate dashed his way to paydirt t give the Ruffers a commanding lead. Fed up, Team Fluff’s Gallagher the Saint Bernard flattened Pirate and promptly scored back to back touchdowns to narrow the gap to 56-51.
The Ruffers’ Hank then played great defense to wind down the clock before kicking a field goal to seal the pupset, as Team Ruff took home the Chewy.com Lombarky Trophy for the first time in three years after the 59-51 victory.
While the Fluffers weren’t able to get their three-peat to solidify their doggy dynasty, it wasn’t all bad news, as fans on Twitter voted Bumble the winner of the Bissell MVP (Most Valuable Puppy) Award this year.
While all these players have found their furever homes, there are still many shelter dogs available around the country for adoption.
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