A jury found a former University of Northern Colorado punter not guilty of attempted first-degree murder but guilty of second-degree assault today in an attack on the school’s starting punter.

Mitch Cozad, a University of Northern Colorado backup punter, was charged with attempted first-degree murder and second-degree assault in the Sept. 11 stabbing of Rafael Mendoza. Police and prosecutors have said it was a bid to get Mendoza’s starting position.

The conviction means Cozad faces a maximum of 16 years in prison, as opposed to 48 years if he had been convicted of the more serious charge.

Cozad was taken into custody at the close of the hearing. He will be sentenced Oct. 2.

His family cried at the verdict.

"You all know he passed the polygraph. You all know it. The DA has known it since February," said Suzanne Cozad of Wheatland, Wyo., Mitch Cozad’s mother.

Mendoza, who was stabbed in the leg, testified that he couldn’t identify his attacker, who was dressed in black, including a sweat shirt with a hood cinched up so that only his eyes were visible.

He has recovered from the attack and is able to punt. He is practicing with the team.

Mendoza modified his kicking style last year, averaging 39.9 yards on 56 punts, because of the reduced flexibility in his kicking leg.

He said this week he is able to return to his regular kicking style.

"My flexibility is as good as I can get. As far as I can tell, there are none (limitations)," Mendoza said.

A woman who dated Cozad testified Monday she lied to police at his request. At first, Angela Vogel told police that Cozad was with her at the time Mendoza was stabbed, but she said she quickly regretted that lie and 15 minutes later told investigators that Cozad had left for part of the evening.

Cozad never took the stand.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.