The Buffs will be without their top running back when they host UCLA on Saturday.

According to BuffZone’s Brian Howell, Alex Fontenot will not be available for the game against the Bruins. It’ll be his second consecutive missed game after suffering a chest injury during a 41-10 loss to Air Force on Sept. 10.

The senior back is still, according to Howell, dealing with chest discomfort when he tries to run, and though the Buffs hoped he’d be able to make a return to the field this week, they’ll have to turn once again to Deion Smith.

“He’s feeling better,” head coach Karl Dorrell said, per Howell. “He’s got this chest injury that is very challenging for him breathing.”

Fontenot has 20 carries for 84 yards so far this season, as nothing much has clicked for the CU offense. Smith will handle the lead role again after doing so against Minnesota last week. In the 49-7 loss, Smith had 70 yards on 10 carries. For the year, he’s up to 159 rushing yards on 28 attempts.

“He had some good yards last week but I think he needs more consistency in what his reads are and staying downhill when he needs to stay downhill,” Dorrell said of Smith. “But I’ve been pleased with what he’s been doing.”

The Buffs (0-3) face the Bruins (3-0) at 11 a.m. PT on the Pac-12 Network this Saturday.