Summary
- Team Ruff beat Team Fluff in a 49-87 game.
- In the highest-scoring Puppy Bowl of all time, 19 touchdowns were made.
- Cara, the Fluff’s high-scorer, wins MVP over Henry and Falcor (who both scored 4 touchdowns apiece). That’ll be a controversial call!
- Most of the puppies featured have already been adopted ... but there are always more animals to adopt.
Updated
Falcor makes another drive, but Aaron blocks him. Meanwhile, Jamison is looking for revenge and tries to block Falcor – but fails, and Falcor scores again! It’s now 49-87, in favor of the Ruffs. That’s the game!
Smudge’s mother died shortly after he was born, we discover in his “Pup Close and Person”, and he and his littermates had no prospects for adoption. One of his adopted siblings, Pong, was in the Puppy Bowl last year.
Falcor’s clearly keyed up, though, and bites Jamison’s tail, earning the Ruffs another penalty. Smudge taked advantage of the ref’s split attention, and bites a tail of his own without penalty ... the refereeing here is really spotty today.
Updated
Team Ruff’s Falcor makes another run for a touchdown, but his drive dies under Dougie’s defense. On his second try, USS Maloy stops his drive – but Henry makes another touchdown while the Fluff defense is distracted. It’s 49-80 (and a tie for the Puppy Bowl touchdown record, set at Puppy Bowl VIII)!
Last up in the fourth quarter forTeam Fluff: Smudge, a Havanese from Orlando; Roscoe, a labrador retriever mix from North Carolina; and Donnie, a shepherd mix from South Carolina. Team Ruff sends out Coveia, a husky mix from Tennessee; Boomer, a shepherd mix from New Jersey; and Zane, a Corgi mix from New Hampshire.
It’s not only humans who are watching:
Well... One of the members of my household wishes we just keep the TV on @AnimalPlanet today. #PuppyBowl pic.twitter.com/Lrt2LQ5H4a
— Dan Harland (@DanHarland) February 1, 2015
Ali (Ruff) and Fritz (Fluff) struggle over toy control and Fritz breaks away but stalls! Meanwhile, Keno breaks away again for a second touchdown, bringing the score to 49-73 in the fourth quarter!
Can U say VEGAS TOUCHDOWN X2??!!!KENO CAN! #KENO4mvp @Kenopuppybowl @NevadaSPCA @AnimalPlanet #PuppyBowl #TeamFluff pic.twitter.com/zb8rBTHOBa
— Michele Freeman (@MFreemanvegas) February 1, 2015
Updated
While Aria and Ali for Team Ruff fight amongst themselves, Keno of Team Fluff breaks away for a touchdown! It’s still 42-73, though...
Starlight’s “Pup Close and Personal” story is that she and family were nearly euthanized at a shelter before they were adopted.
Lewis tries to tackle Pepper but fails and so goes in for a tailbite! WHERE ARE THE REFS?
Fourth Quarter! Team Ruff sends out: Starlight, a chihuahua mix from Florida; Lance, a terrier mix from New Hampshire; and Luigi, a Pekinese/pug from Virginia. Team Fluff’s chance for victory rests on the furry backs of: Keno, a terrier mix from Las Vegas; Fritz, a miniature schnauzer from Florida; and Cheyenne, a chihuahua mix from outside of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Two dogs are already training for 2016:
“@Blake_Jorgensen: Training for next year's #PuppyBowl pic.twitter.com/NXWPKVn3gc” @CoraClayps
— Dylan Burn (@dburn11) February 1, 2015
Summary
- At the end of the third quarter, the score is Team Fluff 35, Team Ruff 73.
- Team Fluff hasn’t scored at all in the second half year, despite a commanding lead after the first quarter.
It’s the last moment of the third quarter, and Falcor makes another touchdown! It’s now 35-73 in favor of Team Ruff!
Henry fakes out Team Fluff and scores! It’s 35-66!
Falcor of Team Ruff scores again, opening up their lead to 35-59 over Team Fluff! It’s going to be hard to recover.
Hemingway’s “Pup Close and Personal” reveals that he was the product of a teenage mother, and his whole family was brought into a shelter. They’re being fostered on a farm, where he’s learning to interact with goats.
Jamison tackles Aaron – his own Fluff teammate! And Falcor’s drive to goal is stymied. Team Fluff’s having a hard couple of quarters.
Henry of the Ruffs breaks away from Lee for a touchdown – Henry’s second – bringing the score to 35-52!
Halfway through the third quarter, Team Fluff fields: Maxwell, a labrador mix from Pennsylvania; Jamison, a pit bull terrier mix from Philadelphia; and Hemingway, a Great Pyrenees mix from western Virginia. Team Ruff counters with: Scarlet, a doberman pinscher from Iowa; USS Dash, a golden mix from Virginia; and Faulkner, another Great Pyrenees mix.
Are you in it to win it?
If you don't watch the #PuppyBowl you can't be trusted pic.twitter.com/rfRdWgEyQ4
— Alanna Tucker ♛ (@a3tuck3r) February 1, 2015
Lewis earns a penalty for “paws to the face” on Pepper, and the camera pans to Liil Bub, who declares herself a Lewis fan. Miss Martian finally breaks away for a touchdown, bringing the score to 35-45 in favor of Team Ruff.
Drew Carey tries to drive for the endzone, but is stopped at the 10, after which it’s time for her “Pup Close and Personal”. She started off in a shelter in LA, after which she hit the big time with an appearance on the Price is Right, where she won her trip to the Puppy Bowl – and a new family.
Miss Martian isn’t giving up, challenging Aria for the rope toy. Drew Carey breaks it up. But it’s still a scoreless second half so far.
Miss Martian fumbles her first drive into the waterbowl, after which Lorelai starts shadowing her to keep her out of the endzone. Drew Carey and Kojak get a penalty for excessive kisses, leading to a time-out.
And in quarter 3, Team Fluff sends out: Miss Martian, a coonhound mix from Tennessee; Drew Carey, a cocker spaniel from California; Kojak, a beagle mix from Iowa; Sniffles, a Shih Tzu mix; and Pepper, a Boston terrier mix from Virginia. Team Ruff fields: Lewis, a Shar Pei from Iowa, Aria, a labrador mix from Illinois; and Lorelai, a Maltese poodle mix from Iowa.
The puppies have banded together to evict the kittens from the control room, and end the cat video takeover (with the ref’s help.)
Kittens have taken over the control room! And turned on Henri le Chat Noir (and various other cat videos).
#PuppyBowl #SuperBowl lol pic.twitter.com/jdQHHVBeGL
— Stephanie Taylor (@973stephanie) February 1, 2015
If you’re not familiar with his oeuvre, his last original video is below.
Updated
I guess I could’ve guessed they were going to play “Eye of the Tiger”.
Karry Furry looks ... less than happy about being here with us.
It's Katty Furry performing at the Kitty Halftime Show!! #PuppyBowl pic.twitter.com/qgUuMvMpfi
— AnimalPlanet (@AnimalPlanet) February 1, 2015
Updated
Summary
- At the end of the first half, Team Ruff is leading Team Fluff 28-45
- It’s time for the Kitty Halftime Show, where Katty Furry will be performing.
Updated
Marley gets yet another touchdown for Team Ruff, and it’s 28-45 at the end of the first half.
USS Maloy gets his “Pup Close and Personal”, where it’s revealed that his mother was homeless in Alabama. A rescue organization brought her to Virginia where he was born (with eight brothers and sisters). They’re all training to be therapy dogs.
Falcor’s second drive, but is blocked by Team Fluff in every direction. He passes to Henry, who goes straight for the endzone and gets another touchdown! Team Ruff has taken a commanding lead.
Downfield, Marley and Scooby create a distraction, while Falcor makes a drive for the endzone and touchdown! Team Ruff takes a 4-point lead!
The goats use the referee’s absence to snack on the coaches’ playbooks, but the referee saves the day by retrieving all the toys from the locker room.
But it’s a twist! All the toys are now missing from the field!
Halfway through the second quarter, Team Ruff brings out: Lee, a boxer mix from Kentucky; Falcor, a clumber spaniel from Iowa; Marley, a labrador retriever mix from South Carolina; and Henry, a labrador mix from Pennsylvania. Team Fluff calls in: USS Maloy, an Australian shepherd mix; Aaron, a boxer mix from Kentucky; Dougie, a labrador mix from South Carolina; and Izzie, an Australian shepherd mix from Louisiana.
During the commercial breaks, check out these goat cheerleaders:
Minutes away from #PuppyBowl XI -- our goat cheerleaders are ready! pic.twitter.com/jnQoabz5Wy
— AnimalPlanet (@AnimalPlanet) February 1, 2015
The is a rough game, folks, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise:
Who's watching the #PuppyBowl w/ us? We're no referee but this seems like a personal foul. #SuperBowl #SuperBowlXLIX pic.twitter.com/3UNyk81snN
— tvtagLIVE (@tvtagLIVE) February 1, 2015
Bryan Adams kicks the second-ever field goal in Puppy Bowl history, bringing the score up to 28-24! Don’t count Team Ruff out...
Don't call it a comeback! #TeamRuff
— meepthebird (@meepthebird) February 1, 2015
Updated
Titan then tackles Maggie, and drives into the endzone for Team Ruff! 28-21!
Crimson and Team Fluff earn a penalty for roughing against Lola on Team Ruff, but Freckles takes it in stride and runs for another touchdown! It’s Team Fluff in the lead 28-14!
Blue gets a turnoverfor Team Ruff, then loses it in a turnover to Team Fluff’s Maggie, who stalls on the 20 yard line. Papi challenges Team Ruff’s Lola, who pulls the pink toy and Papi almost into the endzone but loses in another turnover. Meanwhile, Chicklet dashes from the 30 to the goal for another Team Fluff touchdown, bringing the score to 21-14.
Crimson’s “Pup Close and Personal” reveals that his mom, Juno, was rescued and fostered shortly before birth on a farm outside of Atlanta. He’s got six brothers and sisters still back on the farm.
In the second quarter, Team Fluff sends out: Chicklet, an Australian Shepherd mix from Idaho; Freckles, a hound mix from North Carolina; Maggie, a beagle mix from Georgia; Bailey, a labrador retriever mix from the Cayman Islands; Crimson, a Jack Russell terrier from Atlanta; and Papi, a Corgi mix from New Hampshire.
Team Ruff brings out: Bryan Adams, a labrador retriever mix from Puerto Rico; Blue, a schnauzer poodle from Iowa; and Titan, an American bulldog from North Carolina.
Rumors abound about special guests at the Kitty Half Time Show:
For those watching the game today, I recommend watching the #puppybowl on @animalplanet during halftime. Rumor is, I may make an appearance.
— Henri, Le Chat Noir (@HenriLeChatNoir) February 1, 2015
BUB may not know the first thing about sports, but she'll be in today’s PUPPY BOWL XI on @AnimalPlanet #bubbybowl pic.twitter.com/DrLTj7D9j0
— Lil BUB (@IAMLILBUB) February 1, 2015
Updated
Summary
- At the end of the first quarter, the score is tied between Team Ruff and Team Fluff, 14 to 14.
- The goat cheerleaders aren’t winning over the crowd.
- Team Ruff’s infighting is costing them time and touchdowns.
Sport Illustrated has a look behind the scenes at the Puppy Bowl:
You're watching the #PuppyBowl. We're watching the Puppy Bowl. We went behind the scenes! http://t.co/Cxs52sD6Uq pic.twitter.com/6hEsBRYq9m
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) February 1, 2015
Bowser’s whiffing as well, and even the cats in the skybox are bored! But Sassy and Kiaria start a battle over the purple toy, but even an assist by Bowser can’t get it into the endzone for Team Ruff. But in the confusion, Bubba takes the green toy into the endzone for the second touchdown for Team Ruff, tying things up! Quarter one is over!
Kiaria and Sassy are battling mid-field for the pink noodle, and Sassy gives up ... so Kiaria does as well. The goats are having trouble keeping viewers interested. Cara tries for another touchdown, but is stymied at the 35 yard line. The score remains 14-7 in favor of Team Fluff.
Bowser’s had a tough life, as we learn in “Pup Close and Personal” segment: his mother took ill 10 days after he was born, and his foster mom, Jessica Busch, found a surrogate to nurse him. After he got better, he was chosen for a spot on the Ruff team and got his first bath.
Uh-oh! Bowser and Bubba started fighting amongst themselves on Team Ruff! And then Bowser starts squabbling with Kiaria, too! He’s clearly not a team player.
Post commercial break, it’s a new line-up! For Team Ruff we’ve got: Penelope, a pug from Orlando; Kiaria, a Japanese Chin from North Carolina; and Bowser, a Pekingese mix from Virginia. Team Fluff’s fielding: Rosie, a Havanese from Florida; Oscar Marcus, a Shih Tzu mix from Virginia; and Savannah, a Shih Tzu from Georgia.
Updated
If you’re wondering what this is all about, ABC News has a primer.
This year, the puppies are joined by miniature goat cheerleaders.
There’s already talk of making Cara the MVP, but Animal Planet’s sideline reporter, Meep the Bird.
Can anyone stop Cara? #MVP
— meepthebird (@meepthebird) February 1, 2015
Cara, though, was having none of that, and takes it back for another Team Fluff touchdown!
Steve took the blue birdie and made a run for his own endzone, but his drive was spoiled by Cara. But Graham and Fiona tussle over a rope toy mid-field, allowing Bubba to drive the blue birdie into the endzone for Team Ruff.
Ah, they left the girl puppy, Fiona, off the starter announcement! Panda’s already trash-talking Team Ruff. With Team Ruff distracted, Cara makes a play for the blue birdie, and carries it down the sideline for a touchdown (despite an effort at a tackle by Bubba).
Team Fluff (in yellow) took the field first: Cara, a Shih Tzu from Orlando, Florida; Sassy, a miniature poodle mix from Asheville, North Carolina; and Panda, a Pomeranian. Team Ruff’s starters (in green) included: Bubba, a chihuahua mix from Florida; his brother Steve; Enzo, a Yorkie from St Louis, Missouri; and Pudge, another Chihuahua mix from Florida. Already, the odds seem weighted in Team Ruff’s favor.
And, if you missed the pre-game show, you’ll have to view it on their site – their embed isn’t working.
Updated
They’re showing video of them loading the puppies on the bus, but one poor puppy got left behind, for the referee to pick up in his new car (in an advertisement for their automotive sponsor).
Good afternoon (or evening, for our UK readers) and welcome to The Guardian’s extremely serious liveblog of one of the sporting events of the year: Animal Planet’s original Super Bowl counterprogramming, the Puppy Bowl. We’re starting a little early this year, as it’s not technically counter-programming anymore.
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