UNC Reserve Punter Arrested For Allegedly Stabbing Rival In Leg

GREELEY CO [TheDenverChannel.com] -- The University of Northern Colorado's reserve punter was expelled from school after allegedly stabbing his rival in his kicking leg.

Mitch Cozad, who had been a sophomore from Wheatland, Wyo., allegedly attacked starting punter Rafael Mendoza in a parking lot in Evans on Monday night, Evans police Lt. Gary Kessler said.

A university employee associated with the athletic department who asked to remain anonymous, told the Greeley Tribune that Cozad, who was wearing a hood over his head, attacked Mendoza from behind, stabbing him in his right leg between the buttocks and his hamstring.

Mendoza, the Bears' first-string punter from Thornton, was treated and released from the North Colorado Medical Center Monday night. Coach Scott Downing said Mendoza will not punt for UNC in Saturday's game at Texas State University.

"I don't know how long he'll be out because I haven't talked to the doctor," Downing said.

Cozad, Mendoza and freshman Zak Bigelow had been in a three-way race for the starting punter's job in pre-season training. Mendoza has averaged 37.6 yards-per-punt on nine punts in the two games so far this season.

Cozad was arrested Tuesday and faces second-degree assault charges. He was due in court for a bond hearing on Wednesday.

UNC athletic department officials suspended Cozad from the football team Tuesday morning, according to the newspaper. He was later expelled from school and evicted from Turner Hall.

The football team was instructed not to talk to reporters about the incident, according to the Greeley newspaper.

Cozad had transferred to UNC from the University of Wyoming and was born in Denver.