The Northern Light

There was never any hint of jealousy or animosity between the two punters competing for the starting job at the University of Northern Colorado €" at least, that's the way it appeared on the football field.

"Just normal athletic interaction," Bears coach Scott Downing said. "We have competition at every position. It's nothing new."

That all changed this week when the starter, Rafael Mendoza, was stabbed in his right thigh after parking his car outside his apartment Monday night in Evans, about 50 miles north of Denver.

Charged in the attack: His backup, Mitch Cozad.

Mendoza was treated and released from the hospital. "I'm looking forward to getting back to playing with my team," he said. "I'm upset this happened, but at the same time, there's nothing I can do and just move on."

Cozad, meanwhile, was freed Wednesday on a $30,000 bond and faces a charge of second-degree assault.

"I guess the only identified motive (in the attack on Mendoza) at this point in time is the competition for that position," Evans police Lt. Gary Kessler said. Downing wasn't so sure that athletic competition was the reason one of his punters attacked the other. Cozad and Mendoza, a junior from the Denver suburb of Thornton, were competitive, he said, but no more than players at other positions.

"No different than starting quarterback or starting right tackle," he said. "Everyone was held accountable to the same level."

Cozad was suspended from the university and the team and was evicted from his dorm room, director of athletics Jay Hinrichs said. Downing said he talked to Mendoza, who hopes to make a quick recovery. He's averaging 37.6 yards per punt on nine punts in two games.

"Rafael is a competitor and wants to get back as soon as he can," Downing said. "When that occurs, I don't know."

Article Tools