Greely, Colo. ? The University of Northern Colorado punter who was knifed in the kicking leg says he’s not surprised by the severity of charges against his backup, who police say attacked Rafael Mendoza to capture his starting job.

“No, not at all. Everyone else is surprised. Not me,” Mendoza told The Associated Press after practice Thursday night.

Mitch Cozad, 21, faces up to 48 years in prison if convicted on charges of attempted first-degree murder and second-degree assault in the Sept. 11 attack. Free on $500,000 bail, he’s scheduled for his first court appearance Monday. Cozad’s attorney, Joseph Gavaldon, did not immediately return a message left after hours Thursday.

In his first extensive interview since charges were filed last month, Mendoza said prosecutors had told him back in September that they were going to seek attempted first-degree murder in the case.

“At first they dropped the assault charge and told me they were going to go for attempted first-degree murder but that they needed more time,” Mendoza said. “I said, ‘Take all the time you need.”‘

Mendoza said he often ponders his attacker spending decades behind bars.

“I think about it, but I don’t worry about it. Because he did it to himself. That’s exactly how I see it,” Mendoza said.

Asked if he thought his attacker deserved to spend 48 years behind bars, Mendoza said, “I don’t know. I don’t have any opinion on that. That’s for a judge and jury to decide.”