FOXBORO —  Kickers don’t usually get standing ovations. Nor do they usually get a hero’s welcome when they return to the sideline.

But both happened to one Steve Gostkowski late in the second quarter of Sunday’s 27-17 win over the Dolphins at Gillette Stadium.

The reason for the appreciation was what he accomplished on consecutive kicks following his 38-yard field goal that made it 13-10 Patriots.

He booted the first kickoff over the head of Ted Ginn, Jr., for a touchback. But bad news — James Sanders was called for lining up offsides, forcing Gostkowski to move back to the 25 and try again. No problem. Gostkowski drilled the ball out of the end zone again, an 85-yard boot, nearly unheard of.

“It was pretty cool. I was pretty upset that that one got called back. But then everyone was like, ‘Just do it again.’ I said, ‘OK, I’ll try.’”

But that’s what kind of special effort it took to contain Ginn on this day, one week after Ginn returned a pair of kicks to the house for two touchdowns.

Gostkowski spoke about it afterward:

Gostkowski talked about his special feat in the second quarter.

Gostkowski said Belichick and the coaches drilled the team all week about special teams.

Gostkowski on keeping the ball out of the hands of Ted Ginn.