05/10/02 Capitols Press Release
Having ended the unbeaten run of the Sioux City Bandits last weekend, the Lincoln Capitols begin a three-game road swing by visiting Sioux Falls Saturday night. Lincoln improved to 4-2 on the season and 3-1 in the NIFL's Pacific North division with a 43-28 victory over the Bandits at the Pershing Center.

Running back/wide receiver Damon Benning scored three touchdowns for the second consecutive week, two in the fourth quarter as the Capitols overcame a six-point deficit by outscoring the Bandits 21-6 in the final period. Running back Rayshawn Askew scored Lincoln's other touchdown in the final 15 minutes and was the Capitols rushing leader with 61 yards on 14 carries. Askew also caught four passes for 24 yards and one touchdown.

Lincoln quarterback Josh Luedtke complete 18-of-25 passes for 119 yards and two scores with no interceptions in helping lead the Capitols to the victory.

Lincoln's defense limited Sioux City to 222 yards and on a key fourth-down late forced Bandit quarterback Jarrod DeGeorgia to throw an incompletion, turning the ball over the to Capitols, who then put the game away with Benning's second rushing touchdown of the night five plays later.

Strong safety Travis Kopf returned from a knee infection that held him out of the Bismarck contest on April 27th to match the NIFL's season-best tackle number, making 20 stops.

Sioux Falls is returning to action after a bye week, and has dropped decisions to Sioux City and Omaha sandwiched around a win over Tri-City. The Storm sit a game back of Pacific West leader Bismarck in the loss column.

Sioux Falls is led by quarterback Ryan Aulenbacher, who is among the league leaders in passing yards, attempts, completions and touchdowns. Aulenbacher has completed 65-percent of his throws this season for a league-best 1219 yards and 23 touchdowns, while throwing 9 interceptions. His favorite target is Corey Walker, who has caught 30 passes, three for scores, for 289 yards on the season.

Former Nebraska All-Big 12 performer Jason Schwab anchors the offensive line for the Storm, which finished with an 8-8 mark in 2001 and won a first-round playoff contest. Defensively, a strong backfield includes Philip Wilson, who is tied for second in the league with 5 interceptions. Wilson picked three passes in a Storm win over Billings on March 24 th . Fellow defensive back Todd Tryon is tied for the longest interception return for a touch-down this season, having returned a pick 40 yards in the same game.

Following Saturday's contest, the Capitols continue the road swing, visiting Casper on May 18 th , and close the trip with a rematch with Sioux City on May 25 th before returning home to meet LaCrosse on May 31