LOS ANGELES — UCLA defensive lineman Gary Smith III is “very excited” for what is expected to be the Bruins’ toughest challenge this week.

Smith has started the first three games this season. A fourth start on Saturday would already match his four starts last season in his first year as a Bruin.

Smith has a season-high three tackles in each game against Coastal Carolina and North Carolina Central this season. He also had a half-sack against NCCU that resulted in a 6-yard loss.

“I feel like I’ve been doing pretty good but definitely could do better,” Smith said. “I’m excited to actually try to do better this upcoming week and the weeks moving forward as we get into conference play.”

The No. 22 Bruins (3-0) travel to play No. 11 Utah (3-0) in their Pac-12 Conference opener (Fox Ch. 11, 12:30 p.m.).

The Duke transfer was plagued with injuries throughout the 2022 season, after initially suffering an injury against South Alabama.

The 6-foot-2, 315-pound lineman also had to overcome an undisclosed injury that kept him out of spring practice.

Smith helps anchor the defensive line along with Jay Toia, Laiatu Latu and twins Grayson and Gabriel Murphy, who continue to make a case as one of the premier defensive fronts this season.

Coach Chip Kelly is pleased with the play of the defensive line, which ranks eighth in the nation for total tackles for a loss (27) and 12th in sacks with 11.

“I think both him and Jay Toia have been rock solid for us on the inside so far through the first three games,” Kelly said.

“I feel like we work great together,” Smith said. “We are both nose tackle-type bodies but we both can play three techniques. It’s very interchangeable with the things we can do in different schemes.”

The Bruins are tied for 11th in the nation, with Rutgers, allowing 69.7 yards per game and two touchdowns through the first three games.

“I think we match up well and they always have a great O-line and a great run game, but I feel like we’re good in run-stopping,” Smith said. “We will see how it goes. I’m very excited for it though.”

The Utes have averaged 186.7 rushing yards per game, which includes victories over Florida and Baylor. Sophomore Ja’Quinden Jackson has rushed for 213 yards this season.

ON THE MEND

UCLA players praise director of football performance Keith Belton for his offseason workouts that have helped transform their bodies in preparation for the season.

Belton is also known for his energy and enthusiasm throughout practice and is often seen encouraging players at the end of drills.

He has been doing so this season, however, while sporting a walking boot. Kelly mentioned that the injury occurred during a drill in which Belton was accidentally hit.

“He got kicked in the leg and that’s all I got,” Kelly said about Belton’s injury. “I just see him running around and sometimes he’s got his boot on and sometimes he doesn’t have his boot on.

“The trainers are yelling at him to have his boot on, but it doesn’t seem to slow K.B. down because he’s still doing somersaults and flips and all those other things, so maybe he’s just setting a tone for the toughness of this football team, but it’s going to take a lot more than that to take K.B. out.”

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