If you can't beat 'em, stab 'em

GREELEY, Colo. (AP) The competition appeared amicable on the field. At least the University of Northern Colorado football staff thought so. <br/><br/>Off it, the story may have been different. <br/><br/>Backup

Thursday, September 14th 2006, 6:05 am

By: News On 6

GREELEY, Colo. (AP) The competition appeared amicable on the field. At least the University of Northern Colorado football staff thought so.

Off it, the story may have been different.

Backup punter Mitch Cozad is charged with second-degree felony assault after allegedly stabbing starter punter Rafael Mendoza in the thigh of his kicking leg in a parking lot attack Monday night.

Mendoza was treated at a Greeley, Colorado, hospital and released. He'll miss at least Saturday's game in San Marcos, Texas, against Texas State.

Cozad was freed yesterday on $30,000 bail. School officials say he's been suspended from the university and the team and evicted from his dorm room on the Greeley campus.

Bears coach Scott Downing says he never say any hint of jealousy between the two punters, who battled each other all pre-season for the starting job.