Photo courtesy of UTCCHATTANOOGA (WRCB) -- The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team doesn't need any distractions as it continues a must-win final stretch of the regular season, but it got one Wednesday.
Backup linebacker J.D. Dothard was arrested Wednesday afternoon on a charge of simple assault. The Chattanooga Times Free Press is reporting the charge stems from an incident Tuesday night.
UTC officials said head coach Russ Huesman learned of the arrest Wednesday afternoon. He will not comment on the matter while in the process of gathering information.
Dothard, a senior from Carrollton, Ga., has played in seven of Chattanooga's eight games this year, primarily on special teams. He has recorded three total tackles this season.
Dothard started 18 straight games at safety as a freshman and sophomore before a knee injury cut short his 2009 season. He switched from safety to linebacker for his junior year, starting the first three games of the season before moving into a reserve role.
Dothard's younger brother Wes, is a sophomore linebacker for the Mocs.
