KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee punter Britton Colquitt has been suspended for the first five games of the 2008 season and stripped of his scholarship following a weekend arrest, Coach Phillip Fulmer said in a statement.

Colquitt was charged with DUI and leaving the scene of an accident early Sunday, according to the Knox County Sheriff's Department.

"I'm very disappointed that Britton doesn't appreciate the blessings he has been given from his family and his team," Fulmer said in the statement. "He will be required to undergo alcohol counseling as well as other internal punishments."

In March 2004, Fulmer suspended Colquitt from the team following his fourth alcohol-related incident in a six-month span. Three of the incidents occurred during a 12-day stretch in 2003 when Colquitt was cited three times for underage consumption of alcohol. He was also charged with DUI after one of the underage incidents, but the DUI charge was later dismissed.

Sunday's encounter with police occurred when Colquitt was driving a 1998 Jeep Cherokee and struck a parked vehicle near downtown Knoxville, according to police. He was stopped by Knoxville police shortly after leaving the scene, authorities said.

Officers said they smelled alcohol on Colquitt and that he had slurred speech. Colquitt, 22, allegedly told police he had two beers and three mixed drinks before striking the vehicle. He was arrested at approximately 3 a.m., according to police.

He was released on bond from the Knox County Sheriff's Department's Intake Center later that morning.

Troubling trend

Colquitt's most recent arrest was the latest in a disturbing trend of off-the-field issues for the Volunteers football program. During the past 38 days, nine UT football players have either had run-ins with police or been dismissed from the team for unspecified violations of team rules.

Two players have been arrested and charged with DUI and two others were cited for alleged drug possession.

— On Jan. 11, freshman receivers Gerald Jones and Ahmad Paige were issued misdemeanor citations for marijuana possession. Freshman offensive lineman William Brimfield was also in the car, as was an Oklahoma high school football player visiting Knoxville on a recruiting trip. Brimfield and the high school student were not cited.

Fulmer disciplined Jones, Paige and Brimfield with community service at a drug rehab center and participation in police ride-alongs.

— On Jan. 21, freshman running back Daryl Vereen was arrested and charged with public intoxication and underage consumption on campus. His punishment was similar to that of Jones, Paige and Brimfield. Vereen also has a semester-long curfew.

— On Jan. 26, offensive lineman Anthony Parker was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor. Fulmer said he would punish Parker internally.

— On Feb. 2, Vince Faison, a walk-on defensive back, was arrested and charged with DUI. He was suspended for the first two games of the 2008 season.

— On Feb. 13, linebacker Dorian Davis and defensive back Antonio Wardlow were dismissed from the team for unspecified violations of team rules.

Punishment pending

Colquitt's five-game suspension and the stripping of his scholarship is the harshest punishment Fulmer has levied against a player who has been involved with police this year. Colquitt recently flirted with the idea of entering the NFL Draft before deciding to return for his senior season.

The Colquitt family, which has produced four star punters at UT during the past three decades, announced in October it was endowing a scholarship at the university. The family contributed $100,000 for the permanent endowment.

Colquitt is considered one of the nation's best punters. His career punting average of 43.9 yards is fourth-best in school history and he was fifth in the Southeastern Conference in 2007 with a punting average of 41.6 yards.