University of Tennessee quarterback Jim Bob Cooter was suspended indefinitely from the team Monday after being charged with driving under the influence.

Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer suspended the Lynchburg, Tenn., native on a violation of team rules and said in a statement released by UT's Sports Information Department that the senior will not be eligible for the season opener against California.

Officer Joey A. Knight arrested Cooter, 21, and a female passenger at 3:25 a.m. on Saturday, according to a UT police report. The female passenger, who police said will be 21 next month, was placed under arrest for underage consumption, as she was in possession of an open container of alcohol, the report stated.

Knight said in the report that Cooter, in a black Ford SUV, disregarded a red light at 16th street and was "driving on the wrong side of the roadway on 16th street."

Knight reported that he stopped Cooter and detected a "strong odor of what appeared to be an alcoholic beverage" and "bloodshot eyes."

Knight administered three field sobriety tests to Cooter, who failed all three, according to the UT police report. It said Cooter registered a 0.19 percent on a Breathalyzer test; Tennessee's presumed level of intoxication is 0.08.

"Jim Bob has let the team down and embarrassed himself and his family by his actions," Fulmer said in the UT release. "He has benefited greatly by being part of the Tennessee family, and with that comes great responsibility for his actions.

"He did not behave in a responsible manner, and he understands very clearly that even though this is his first offense, there will be consequences."

This marks the third disciplinary action Fulmer has taken since the beginning of May. Senior middle linebacker Marvin Mitchell was suspended indefinitely for an altercation at Rocky Top Market. Freshman defensive tackle Raymond Henderon was dismissed from the team after making "inappropriate comments to a woman and her adolescent daughter."

Cooter's preliminary hearing is set for 9 a.m. on July 12.

"I'm sorry I let down my family, my team, my coaches and the fans," Cooter said in the statement released by UT. "The coaches have instilled a sense of discipline in our program, and we all understand that we need to be accountable for our actions.

"I'm thankful for the coaching staff for giving me a second chance."

Fulmer said for a reinstatement to occur, Cooter must "undergo an extensive alcohol evaluation, in addition to a number of internal requirements."

Cooter earned his bachelor's degree in May and will be enrolled in the fall as a graduate student.

He has become a fan favorite — despite limited playing time — because of his name. He played in one game last season but was said to have one of the best grasps of the Tennessee offense.

In August 2005, then-UT offensive coordinator Randy Sanders said of Cooter that "from a pure intelligence standpoint, he's probably the smartest quarterback I've ever been around, if not one of the smartest people, period."