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Packers’ Randall Cobb has history-making NFL debut on Astini News

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Green Bay Packers' Randall Cobb celebrates in front of New Orleans Saints' Roman Harper after catching a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching)

Updated: September 9, 2011 12:16PM

Quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees were spectacular in Thursday's NFL opener, but Packers rookie Randall Cobb stole the show on Thursday in the Pack's 34-26 victory over the Saints at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.

Cobb, a second-round draft pick out of Kentucky, caught a touchdown from Rodgers and ran a kickoff back 108 yards for a score in the third quarter — tying an NFL record for the longest kickoff return in history, set by New England's Ellis Hobbs in September 2007. It also was the Packers' first kickoff return for a touchdown since Allen Rossum in 2000.

"It was amazing," Cobb said. "The feeling of being in Lambeau Field and just having all of the guys around me coming off of the Super Bowl and just trying to do anything I can to contribute, and I certainly tried to make the most of my opportunities."

Cobb admitted he made mistakes on both touchdowns; he shouldn't have brought the kickoff out of the end zone, and he ran the wrong route on the touchdown catch.

Rodgers said he was able to adjust to Cobb's mistake on the route, again bringing up the offseason workouts — a line of questioning Rodgers clearly grew tired of during training camp.

"Surprisingly, we didn't have offseason workouts," Rodgers said. "Surprisingly, I was able to read his body language there and he made a nice catch and run for a touchdown."

Rodgers threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns.

It was a big night for Donald Driver, who tied James Lofton's Packers franchise mark for career yards receiving with 9,656. Rodgers wanted to get him the record at home.

"We tried to get him the ball again, we just didn't have an opportunity," Rodgers said.

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