In a freakish incident that recalled the attack on the figure skater Nancy Kerrigan before the 1994 Olympic trials, the backup punter on the University of Northern Colorado’s football team has been charged with stabbing the first-string punter in the kicking leg as a way of disabling his rival for the starting assignment, according to an article in The Tribune, a newspaper in Greeley, Colo.

The first-string punter, Rafael Mendoza, was treated for the injury on Monday night and released from a local hospital, but he will be out of action indefinitely.

According to a witness to the alleged assault, Mr. Mendoza’s rival, Mitch Cozad, stabbed him from behind and then fled in his car. The Tribune reported that Mr. Cozad could be identified, even though he was wearing a hood, on account of the personalized license plates on his car, “8-KIKR.”

Mr. Cozad, who has been suspended from the team and from the university, was released on bail on Wednesday. The Tribune could not reach him for comment on the charges.