GREELEY - A former University of Northern Colorado football player accused of stabbing his rival in his punting leg pleaded not guilty in Weld County District Court on Monday.

Mitch Cozad is accused of attempted first-degree murder in an attack on Rafael Mendoza, who told police that Cozad twice tried to stab him in the chest while stabbing him in the leg, according to testimony from Evans police investigator George Roosevelt.

Mendoza was the team's first-string 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 in a dimly lit parking lot at his apartment complex in Evans, near Greeley.

Cozad was kicked off the team and suspended from the university following the attack. Mendoza returned to the team two weeks after the stabbing and averaged 39.9 yards on 56 punts.

Cozad is free on $500,000 bail. If convicted, he faces up to 48 years in prison.

A judge on Monday scheduled his trial for July 30.

Cozad's lawyer, Joseph Gavaldon, said he is open to discussing a plea agreement with prosecutors.

"We'll see if we're going to trial," Gavaldon said outside the courtroom. "As of today, we are."

District attorney spokeswoman Jennifer Finch said prosecutors had no comment.

Cozad waived his right to a formal arraignment.