Wangler entered the game briefly and completed three of four passes for 36 yards, but Schembechler stuck with Hewlett in the fourth quarter. Hewlett responded with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Carter to give Michigan a 17–10 win. After the game, Hewlett said he tried not to pay attention to the chants calling for Wangler, and Schembechler said, "I don't care who they call for. You know that won't dictate what I do." In the second week of the season, Michigan played Notre Dame in South Bend. Hewlett again started the game for Michigan. After a scoreless first quarter, Notre Dame took a 14–0 lead in the second quarter. Wangler replaced Hewlett in the second quarter, throwing two touchdown passes (to Lawrence Ricks and Norm Betts) in the span of 1:19 to tie the game, 14–14, at halftime. In the third quarter, Notre Dame took the lead on a 49-yard interception return of a Wangler pass. In the fourth quarter, Michigan drove to the Notre Dame four-yard line with less than a minute to play. Wangler threw a pass to Butch Woolfolk in the endzone that was tipped and caught by Michigan tight end, Craig Dunaway, giving Michigan a 27–26 lead with 41 seconds left. Notre Dame drove to Michigan's 41-yard line and won on a 51-yard field goal as time ran out. In the third game of the season, Michigan faced a South Carolina team led by 1980 Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers. Wangler got the start and threw two touchdown passes to Carter to give Michigan a 14–3 lead. South Carolina scored 14 points in the second half and held the Wolverines scoreless to win the game 17–14. After starting the season 1–2, Michigan beat California 38–13. Wangler started the game and completed 8 of 14 passes for 109 yards, as Michigan kept the ball on the ground most of the day and tallied 388 rushing yards. Michigan improved to 3–2 with a 27–23 win over Michigan State. With the game tied 13–13 in the second half, Wangler threw a touchdown pass to Carter. Wangler completed a second touchdown pass to Craig Dunaway in the fourth quarter. Wangler completed 9 of 19 passes for 122 yards. In the sixth game of the season, Wangler led Michigan to a 37–14 road victory over Minnesota. Wangler threw for a personal-high 227 yards on 16-for-22 passing, and Carter caught nine