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Brown, Dolphins stun Chargers

Oct 5, 2008 - 9:47 PM By Christopher Stock PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MIAMI (Ticker) -- Ronnie Brown rushed for 125 yards and a touchdown to help lead the Miami Dolphins past the San Diego Chargers, 17-10, on Sunday.

It was Brown's second straight game with at least 100 yards, following a113-yard effort in his last game against the New England Patriots.

In 2007, Brown ripped off four straight 100-yard games before tearing an ACL in Week Seven that require season-ending surgery.

"Ronnie's getting more confidence each week," Dolphins first-year coach Tony Sparano said. "You're starting to see him run with power now. I thought he did a nice job."

The Dolphins, who improved to 2-2 after going 1-15 in 2007, made it back-to-back victories over the teams who appeared in last season's AFC title game.

"Any team can doubt us before, but now they have to prepare to play a great team and we're ready play anybody," Dolphins receiver Greg Camarillo said.

Miami quarterback Chad Pennington also had a productive day, completing 22-of-29 passes for 228 yards and a touchdown.

Miami held San Diego star running back LaDainian Tomlinson to just 35 rushing yards on 12 carries and had five catches for 22 yards.

"It's pretty frustrating for us because we can't put a finger on it," Tomlinson said. "We don't want to start slow but it seems like we find ourselves behind the eight ball, then it makes it tougher for us to catch up in the end."

Quarterback Philip Rivers also was held in check by the Miami defense. He finished 13-of-28 for 159 yards and a touchdown as the Chargers fell to 2-3.

"The pass game just didn't have flow to it," Rivers said. "I don't know if there's a certain reason for that. Obviously the Dolphins played a part in that, I missed some throws that I can make and we just didn't execute."

After the teams traded field goals in the first quarter, Miami took the lead in the second when Pennington hooked up with Camarillo for a 17-yard touchdown strike.

"It was a perfect pass, he put it high just where I could get it and the DB couldn't," said Camarillo, who had six receptions for 68 yards. "As a receiving corps, we needed some big plays and we got them today."

The drive stayed alive when Sparano elected to go for it on 4th-and-one at the Chargers 22-yard line. Brown picked up three on the carry and, two plays later, the Dolphins were in the end zone.

The Dolphins put together another scoring drive just before halftime as Brown took a direct snap in for a 5-yard touchdown run. Brown's touchdown run capped off an 11-play, 79-yard drive to extend the lead to 17-3.

"The play clock was winding down so I was trying to hurry up and snap the ball," Brown said. "It was not a normal play, but it worked out for the best. I got a big block and the outside was open."

San Diego cut the deficit to 17-10 with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Rivers to former Dolphin Chris Chambers. A 42-yard pass from Rivers to Vincent Jackson helped set-up the touchdown.

Davone Bess fumbled the ensuing kickoff, which was recovered by Jacob Hester. The Chargers moved to the 1-yard line, but on 4th-and-goal Tomlinson was stuffed at the goal line.

"We didn't play at the level we need to play at," Chargers coach Norv Turner said. "We've been down this road and found a way to win these games in the second half, but we weren't able to get it done today."

The Dolphins ran out final 5:55, converting four third downs.