A University of Northern Colorado football player was arrested, and his teammate given a summons, after an assault at an apartment complex early Sunday, police said.
Four UNC players have been involved in three violent incidents in the past month.
Garrett Bliss, 21, a sophomore fullback, was arrested in Evans on suspicion of third-degree assault, a misdemeanor.
“Apparently the argument was over the text messaging of a mutual female friend” of Bliss and the man who was beaten, said George Roosevelt, an Evans police spokesman.
Clinton Wright, 21, a junior tight end, was issued a summons for complicity in the incident, Roosevelt said.
Wright made a telephone call to the victim and lured him from his apartment, Roosevelt said.
Bliss beat the victim, Roosevelt said, but no weapon was involved and the victim did not require hospitalization.
Bliss was released from the Weld County Jail on $7,500 bond.
The university’s athletic department has suspended Bliss for one game.
In September, a backup punter allegedly ambushed the starting punter and stabbed his teammate in the kicking leg.
Mitch Cozad, 21, had “an extreme hatred, competition and jealousy” for the starting punter, Rafael Mendoza, according to an Evans police report.
Cozad, suspended from the university, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault in the attack on Mendoza.
Last week, defensive lineman and co-captain Jacob Carlson was cited for disorderly conduct after a fight outside a sports restaurant and bar.
Carlson, 23, of Greeley, was suspended from the team and was awaiting surgery on the orbital bone around his left eye.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Staff writer Kieran Nicholson can be reached at 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.
