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FOXBORO - The Patriots had seen Chad Pennington behind center before - many times. They were ready for the former New York Jet. They knew what he could do.

But it was a different face taking snaps that gave the Patriots trouble Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium. Running back Ronnie Brown gave New England fits in a trick formation featuring the fourth-year player out of Auburn taking shotgun snaps and scoring touchdowns at will in a 38-13 romp.

Brown's four touchdown runs set a Miami record for rushing touchdowns in a game, and his passing touchdown to Anthony Fasano was his first career completion. He had attempted one pass previously in 2006.

"I not the best thrower in the world, so I was thinking 'run, run, run,' but they did a good job of stopping the run and Fasano was open and I just had to toss him the ball," Brown said. "Good thing he wasn't too far."

"You should have seen the first pass he threw in practice," Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington said. "It wasn't very pretty." Despite the fluttering touchdown pass and the perfect quarterback rating, Brown was much more of a threat on the ground in the trick formation, running five times for 100 yards, including a long 62-yard touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter that put the game out of reach, giving Miami a 35-13 advantage.

"I think we had a little success out of it today," Brown said of the formation. "Maybe it's something that we can build on and get some more plays out of there and maybe I can throw a few more touchdowns."

Despite the obvious nature of the play, with Brown lining up behind center in the shotgun formation instead of Pennington, the Patriots had no answer for Brown and Ricky Williams, who came in motion each time and gave Brown a handoff option on an end around.

"We had a few different options," Brown said. "I think that just opened up some things and kept them guessing a little bit."

Brown finished the day with 113 yards on 17 carries.

He played just seven games for the Dolphins last year due to a knee injury.

"I've been working pretty hard and I do exercises and stuff," Brown said. "Each week I continue to feel better and hopefully it's something to build off of."

"Pro Bowl, that's all I'm saying," guard Justin Smiley said.

If he continues to play like this, the question may not be if he'll make the Pro Bowl, just if he'll be throwing any passes in Hawaii.