For each of his first two seasons as Michigan's coach, Rich Rodriguez had to tell the departing seniors that, even though they weren't going to a bowl game, they were laying the foundation for future success.

And that's something to be proud of, for sure.

But, as Rodriguez said during Monday's press conference, it's especially nice that this year's seniors will finally get to go to a bowl.

"The seniors, I think the chance to extend their college career one more game is huge," Rodriguez said. "That bond you have with your team is pretty tight, and being able to extend that another month for a bowl game I think is really important for our seniors."

The Wolverines (2-3 Big Ten, 6-3 overall) secured their first bowl berth of the Rodriguez era on Saturday with a dramatic triple-overtime 67-65 victory over Illinois.

One senior, defensive end Ryan Van Bergen, said that for a lot of players, achieving bowl eligibility is a huge relief.

"Being a senior, you feel a lot of pressure to be a leader and give the team everything you have," Van Bergen said at Monday's presser. "To be a part of the upperclassmen who got us back on track ... I definitely feel a pressure lifted off my shoulders."

For many of the younger players, giving the seniors a chance to play in a bowl was an important motivating factor throughout the season.

Junior wide receiver Darryl Stonum said the rest of the team talked about sending the seniors to a bowl after the game.

"We talked in the locker room after the game," he said. "A lot of the guys got kind of emotional. We love our teammates and our seniors mean a lot to us. We were happy to do this for the seniors."

ROBINSON DOING FINE: As has been the case in nearly every game this season, sophomore quarterback Denard Robinson went down with an injury during Saturday's matchup against the Illini.

The Deerfield Beach, Fla. native was taken out of the game near the end of the third quarter and did not return.

Rodriguez said Robinson was experiencing concussion-like symptoms when he was taken out, and because of this, the team's trainers kept him out the rest of the day.

"He got a little dizzy, had a little headache," Rodriguez said. "So for precautionary reasons, the trainers wanted to hold him out."

However, Rodriguez said Robinson went through a series of tests on Sunday and the results indicated that he was "okay."

Sophomore quarterback Tate Forcier performed well in Robinson's absence, throwing two touchdowns over the course of three overtimes and the time remaining in regulation.

But barring another injury, it looks like the team won't need his services next week. Robinson has been cleared to practice and will be fine for the Wolverines' next game at Purdue.

"He'll do everything today and be good to go," Rodriguez said.

RYAN VAN SUH?: When asked about Detroit Lions' defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh's extra point attempt during the Lions game on Sunday, Van Bergen had an interesting first thought.

"I know I would have made that," Van Bergen said. "There's no way I miss an extra point. I kicked in high school, my long is 46 (yards), I would have made that. Ndamukong should be a little embarrassed — 13-yard field goal, right down the middle? You got to capitalize."

Van Bergen has a history in the kicking game. He said he started kicking for his high school and got pretty good at it. He even kicked off in the Michigan East vs. West game during his senior year of high school.

Though he made a 35-yarder in practice, Van Bergen said his skills have undoubtedly eroded since high school. But should he be called upon to kick a point after?

"If I got called upon, I would make an extra point for this team," he said.

INJURY REPORT: Sophomore running back Teric Jones left Saturday's game with a leg injury and Rodriguez informed the media that Jones tore his ACL and is out for the season. ... Junior nose tackle Mike Martin got through the game without aggravating either of his injured ankles. ... Rodriguez said the availability of redshirt freshman Fitzgerald Toussaint will depend on what he can do in practice this week.