SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Ted Ginn Jr. returned a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns in a minute’s span late in the fourth quarter, and the San Francisco 49ers gave Jim Harbaugh a 33-17 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in his much-hyped NFL debut and renewed coaching rivalry with Pete Carroll.
Ginn ran a kickoff back 102 yards moments after the defending NFC West champion Seahawks had closed within 19-17. It was the second-longest kick return at home and fourth-longest in team history.
Alex Smith exhibited the poise and polish Harbaugh believed the 2005 No. 1 overall pick still had in him despite recent history, going 15 for 20 for 124 yards and running for a 1-yard TD. David Akers kicked four field goals in his first game with San Francisco.
New Seattle QB Tarvaris Jackson threw a late 55-yard touchdown pass to Doug Baldwin, who played for Harbaugh at Stanford.
