The feeling of relief that filled Rafael Mendoza as he left the courtroom on Thursday swept quickly throughout the practice fields at the University of Northern Colorado.

After 11 months of tabloid headlines and being forced to answer questions regarding an unfathomable situation, it was back to business as usual for the Bears on Thursday as they began their second day of preseason practice, hours after former punter Mitch Cozad was found guilty of second-degree assault in a Sept. 11 stabbing attack against Mendoza.

Cozad was acquitted of the more serious attempted murder charge in his alleged attempt to physically and violently wrest the starting job from Mendoza, but that clarification meant little to the Bears as they continued preparations for their second season under coach Scott Downing.

With the trial over, the circus of the situation finally had a definable ending point which, with justice served, really is the most important thing to a group of young athletes ready to finally focus entirely on football.

The Bears declined to speak about the situation, instead welcoming Mendoza back to practice as he resumes his role as UNC's top punter. Downing, who endured myriad off-field headaches during his first season, commented on the resolution of the case only through a statement, saying:

"The Northern Colorado football team is ready to move on and focus its full attention on becoming successful in the first year of postseason eligibility in Division I. We are ready to put this incident behind us and move forward in preparations for the 2007 season. We're proud to have Rafael Mendoza as part of our team. He has shown tremendous courage throughout the past year."

Staying out of headlines will be as important to the Bears' program this season as picking up a few wins to improve on last year's 1-10 mark. UNC opens at Hawaii on Sept. 1.

"I know I speak for the entire football program, the coaches, staff, student-athletes, as well as our entire athletic department, in saying that we're happy the process involving Rafael has come to a conclusion," Hinrichs said. "We're ready to go with day No. 2 of practice (on Thursday) and move our program in the next direction as we advance into Division I."