A former University of Northern Colorado football punter who is accused of stabbing his rival in his kicking leg will be in Weld County District Court this morning for a disposition hearing.

Mitch Cozad is accused of attempted fire-degree murder in the attack on fellow punter Rafael Mendoza, who told police Cozad twice tried to stab him in the chest while stabbing him in the leg, according to earlier testimony from Evans police Investigator George Roosevelt.

Mendoza was the team's regular punter and Cozad was a backup.

Cozad, of Wheatland, Wyo., also faces charges of second-degree assault in the Sept. 11 attack.

Mendoza told officers he was attacked as he drove up to his dorm after studying.

Mendoza was able to run behind a parked car and flagged down a passerby in a pickup truck to escape.

Armed with a description of the attacker, police tracked down Cozad who now is free on a $500,000 bail. If convicted, he faces up to 48 years in prison.

After the incident, Cozad was kicked off the team and evicted from his dorm.