The game was played on December 16, 2005, at Finley Stadium, home field of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

The culminating game of the 2005 NCAA Division I-AA football season, it was won by Appalachian State, 21–16.

The Panthers were unseeded in the tournament; they defeated Eastern Washington, first-seed New Hampshire, and fourth-seed Texas State to reach the final.

Northern Iowa then reclaimed the lead on a touchdown of their own, and extended their advantage to 16–7 from another field goal shortly before halftime.

With just over nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Appalachian State forced a fumble, which was picked up and run in for a touchdown by Jason Hunter.