Alex Smith Outshines Aaron Rodgers as 49ers Beat Packers
Fitzgerald Cecilio

49ers Running Back Frank Gore

Green Bay, WI

Quarterback Alex Smith threw two touchdowns and running back Frank Gore added a crucial score to help the San Francisco 49ers survive a late rally by the Green Bay Packers and score a 30-22 season-opening win Sunday at Lambeau Field.

The Packers crept to within 23-15 after Randall Cobb scored on a 75-yard touchdown punt return and a two-point conversion but Gore scored on a 23-yard touchdown run to secure the victory.

Gore finished with 112 rushing yards on 16 carries while Smith went 20-of-24 for 211 yards, with touchdown passes to veteran wide receiver Randy Moss and tight end Vernon Davis.

Packers' playmaker Aaron Rodgers completed 30 of 44 passes for 303 yards and had two touchdowns but threw a crucial interception that led to Gore's important touchdown.

In his first regular-season game after a one-hiatus, Moss finished the game with 47 yards on four receptions and his 14-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter gave the 49ers a 10-0 lead after a David Akers field goal in the first period.

Tight end Jermichael Finley scored first for the Packers with a one-yard touchdown catch after a 10-play, 80-yard drive engineered by Rodgers before Akers kicked two field goals from 63 and 43 yards to give the 49ers a 16-7 advantage at the half.

Akers former kick tied an NFL record for distance.

Smith opened the third period with a four-yard touchdown pass to Davis to give the 49ers their biggest lead of the match. Cobb answered with a 75-yard touchdown from a punt return and Rodgers converted the two-point pass to trim the gap to 23-15.

Rodgers' pass, however, was intercepted by Navorro Bowman and Gore scored on a 23-yard run to give the 76ers a much-comfortable 30-15 lead.

In a last-ditch effort, Rodgers led the Packers to a five-play, 76-yard attack that ended with a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver James Jones with six minutes left.

Time was not on the Packers' side as the 49ers simply let the time ran out for their first victory of the season.