After two brilliant final seasons starting at defensive end, Terence Ryan had a clear claim as one of the best pass rushers and defensive linemen in NESCAC football history.

"Terence is the most dominate defensive player I have coached in my time at Bates," said head football coach Mark Harriman. "His ability to control the line of scrimmage, along with his quickness off the ball, allowed him to be a complete defensive lineman, equally effective against the run and the pass."

Ryan recorded 10.5 sacks as a junior, tying the NESCAC record established by NFL head coach Eric Mangini while at Wesleyan in 1993. Ryan finished the season with 1.3 sacks per game, the third-highest average in Division III, while also ranking 20th in Division III in forced fumbles (0.38 per game) and 41st in tackles for a loss (1.6 per game); in the NESCAC, he ranked second and first in those categories, respectively. Ryan collected 10 sacks over the Bobcats' final five games, and was named the NESCAC Defensive Player of the Week after Bates' victory over Hamilton in Week 8, collecting two sacks and eight tackles.

As a senior team captain, Ryan did himself one better in the sacks department with 11.5 sacks. Collecting 1.4 sacks per game despite often facing double-team blocking, Ryan was ranked sixth in all of Division III in that category. He also led the NESCAC and was fourth in Division III in tackles for loss per game (2.5), and he was tied for the league lead in forced fumbles per game (0.25).

Ryan was a key component of the Bobcats' stellar defense against the run, which ranked third in the NESCAC and 13th in Division III with only 67.1 yards allowed per game. He again earned NESCAC All-Conference First Team honors, while also becoming the first Bobcat since Frost Hubbard '00 to earn ECAC All-Star honors.

"What set Terence apart was his work ethic," said Harriman. "His relentless effort certainly contributed to his personal achievements, but more importantly it provided his teammates proof positive that you 'practice like you play.'