While players and coaches from Grand Valley State's football program may have a hard time uttering the word "dynasty," it may be the only way to describe a program that has captured three Division II national football titles in the last four seasons.

The Lakers showed their championship poise again in 2005, rallying for a 21-17 win over Northwest Missouri State December 10 at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama.

Grand Valley State's Brandon Langston scored on a 35-yard wide-receiver screen pass from quarterback Cullen Finnerty with 4:25 left in the game, and the Lakers' defense stopped Northwest Missouri State in heart-stopping fashion at the 4-yard line on the game's final play to preserve the win.

"It doesn't get any better than this," Grand Valley State coach Chuck Martin told the Florence Times Daily. "This was the ultimate game -- they were grinding and we were grinding."

Martin was Grand Valley State's defensive coordinator when the program won back-to-back national titles in 2002 and 2003 before being promoted to head coach.

After Grand Valley State grabbed its first lead of the game courtesy of Langston's touchdown, Northwest Missouri State quarterback Josh Lamberson drove the Bearcats 81 yards before his team was finally held out of the end zone.

The last snap took place with one second remaining and the ball on Grand Valley State's 22.

Lamberson rolled right and threw across the field toward the left sideline. Raphael Robinson out-leaped a defender for the ball, but couldn't avoid being tackled by Grand Valley State defensive backs Kirk Carruth and Joe Ballard four yards short of the goal line.

"I thought I put enough on it," Lamberson said. "At first, I was happy because I saw (Robinson) catch it. But then I saw that he was short, and it was heartbreaking."

Grand Valley State players rushed from the sidelines to celebrate their perfect 13-0 season.

The Lakers have won 51 games over the last four seasons, tying an NCAA record.

"I don't really know what a dynasty is," Langston said. "I'm just honored to be around a great group of guys and in a great program. We just work hard, and it has paid off with three national championships. If that is what makes a dynasty, then we are a dynasty."

Finnerty, a member of all three championship teams, scored on runs of three and five yards for Grand Valley State's other scores. He rushed for 59 yards and threw for 172.

Lamberson led the Bearcats attack by throwing for 326 yards, completing 33 of 49 attempts. His favorite target was tight end Mike Peterson, who finished with career highs of nine receptions for 150 yards.

The duo combined for a 30-yard touchdown to open the scoring. Xavier Omon added a two-yard score in the second quarter to give Northwest Missouri State a 14-7 lead at halftime.

Bearcats' kicker Tom Frevert made it 17-14 with 14:56 left in the fourth quarter.

"I felt like we were going to win the game until (Robinson) didn't get into the end zone," Northwest Missouri State coach Mel Tjeerdsma said. "I thought we played an excellent football game. To their credit, they did a good job on us. We just didn't execute like we should have at times, and that was the difference in the game."

Northwest Missouri State (11-4) won four consecutive road playoff games, including a dramatic 25-24 semifinal win over North Alabama at Braly Stadium December 3. Lamberson connected with Robinson on a three-yard scoring pass with 23 seconds left for the winning points.

Grand Valley State joined North Dakota State (five) and North Alabama (three) as the only Division II programs to capture at least three national championships.

"We always think we have a shot at playing for a championship at Grand Valley," Martin said. "This year, we had some holes to fill, but this group just came together so well. Winning a championship is not something you plan; you do it by working hard and just grinding away. We have been very fortunate."

Semifinals

Northwest Mo. St. 25, North Alabama 24; Grand Valley St. 55, East Stroudsburg 20.

Championship game

First quarter

NWMS -- Mike Peterson 30 pass from Josh Lamberson (Tom Frevert kick), 7:47.

GVS -- Cullen Finnerty 5 run (Scott Greene kick), 4:15.

Second quarter

NWMS -- Xavier Omon 2 run (Frevert kick), 13:43.

Third quarter

GVS -- Finnerty 3 run (Greene kick), 2:15.

Fourth quarter

NWMS -- Frevert 35 field goal, 14:56.

GVS -- Brandon Langston 35 pass from Finnerty (Greene kick), 4:25.

Announced attendance: 6,837.

Northwest Grand

Mo. St. Valley St.

Rushing: Northwest Mo. St. -- Omon 13-63, Falkner 1-6, Team 1-minus 1; Grand Valley St. -- Martin 18-72, Finnerty 14-59, Hukill 6-35, Langston 3-9, Regnery 1-minus 10.

Passing: Northwest Mo. St. -- Lamberson 33-49-0-326, Team 0-2-0-0; Grand Valley St. -- Finnerty 12-19-0-172.

Receiving: Northwest Mo. St. -- Peterson 9-150, Wright 5-44, Rector 5-42, Omon 4-23, Falkner 4-19, Meyerkorth 3-18, Herring 2-12, Robinson 1-18; Grand Valley St. -- Langston 4-62, Hukill 3-46, Trent 3-35, Fowler 2-29