It’s been a while since Missouri offensive linemen Connor McGovern, Mitch Morse and Evan Boehm have missed a game. The trio have played 15, 26 and 27 consecutive games, respectively.

Steadiness is the name of the game along the offensive line. Morse, a senior captain at left tackle, started every game of the 2013 season. And Boehm, a junior center, has started every game since 2012.

But for two Mizzou offensive linemen, guards Mitch Hall and Anthony Gatti, the streak stands at one. While the junior and senior were both contributors to last season’s school record 12-win season, the two had a combined two career starts entering the 2014 campaign.

“It has been great for me,” Gatti said. “Just being out there and playing with some of my best friends is awesome. Getting the rust out during camp and spring ball was good for me. Now we are just out there having fun and trying to dominate.”

The two new kids on the line set out on Saturday to prove their worth as part of the revamped starting group.

“First game, we were trying to get out there and show everybody what we got,” Gatti said. “Of course, there are a lot of things to work on. There are always things you need to work on, which is part of the game, but just being able to get out there and play a little ball was awesome for me.”

Coach Gary Pinkel said he was pleased with his team’s performance in the trenches, but explained that the Tigers would have to improve in order to prolong drives and be more successful offensively.

“I think we got a little bit tired in certain parts of some drives and did not finish some plays,” Pinkel said. “But those are some things we can work on and get it done. The big thing offensively is getting better on third downs, where we have not been as good but we are working very hard at.”

Missouri was just 3-11 on third-down conversions.

All in all, the two newbies have been bonding well with their fellow starters and friends along the line and hope to continue growing the group‘s chemistry — and facial hair — all season long.

Boehm said that during Tiger Walk before South Dakota State, his father mistook Gatti for him — their shaved heads and scruffy beards eerily alike.

“We always hang out together,” Hall said. “And I feel like we are starting to mesh real well together and we just have to keep working together.”