Michel enjoys breakout game

FOXBORO — Sony Michel’s uneven performance over his first two games had some questioning the merits of using a first-round pick on a running back.

Yesterday’s effort against the Dolphins should alleviate some of those concerns.

Going up against a Miami defense which ranked second in yards allowed per rushing attempt (3.3) and seventh in total rushing yards (267 in three games), Michel ran through them as if he were back at the University of Georgia. He nearly matched his seasonal production in the first half alone, rushing for 80 of his game-high 112 yards as the Patriots rolled to a muchneeded 38-7 win over the previously unbeaten Dolphins at Gillette Stadium.

“It’s always good to get a win,” said Michel, who became the first Patriots rookie to rush for more than 100 yards in a game since Brandon Bolden did it against the Bills exactly six years ago to the day. “That is the ultimate goal, winning the game.”

Michel came in with 84 yards on 24 carries after missing the opener against the Houston Texans with a knee injury. For someone who rushed for more than 3,600 yards in his collegiate career in the ever-competitive SEC, this was foreign territory.

“It was a tough start, but I’m blessed to have great guys around me in here,” Michel said. “People like James White, the offensive line, Matthew (Slater), Tom (Brady), they kept complimenting me, building up my confidence.”

The point of emphasis all week long was starting fast. In losses to Jacksonville and Detroit, the Patriots were limited to two field goals in the first half. Michel helped set the tone early as he got the call 15 times in the opening half and amassed 80 yards — 5 more than the Dolphins as a team — as the Patriots built a commanding 24-0 halftime lead.

“This started in practice, the coaches and players harped on starting fast,” Michel said. “We did it in practice and it carried over into the game.”

The effort was not lost on his teammates. Brady had high praise for the first-year back and his willingness to mix it up against a tough defense.

“He ran really hard and broke some runs out there,” Brady said. “That’s a stout defense and we needed the run game to break some of those.”

Michel surpassed the 100-yard mark at the end of the third quarter, then picked up his first career touchdown with 13:43 left. He took a pitch from Brady, went left and essentially went into the end zone untouched to extend the lead to 38-0.

“Everyone executed, everyone did their job,” Michel said. “Trent (Brown) made a great block and I had open air.”

Something he hadn’t enjoyed much of prior to yesterday.