[3] Anthony Carter was selected as a consensus first-team All-American and won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football award as the Big Ten's most valuable player.

Eight Michigan players (Carter, Bostic, running back Lawrence Ricks, center Tom Dixon, offensive guard Stefan Humphries, offensive tackle Rich Strenger, and linebackers Paul Girgash and Robert Thompson) received first-team honors on the 1982 All-Big Ten Conference football team.

[5][6] After starting the first two games of the season, defensive back Brad Cochran quit the football team and left school.

Michigan drove deep into UCLA territory in the final minute and had a first-and-goal from the eight-yard line, but Smith threw three incomplete passes into the end zone before time ran out.

Michigan quarterback Steve Smith completed 10 of 20 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns (one to Craig Dunaway and the other to Anthony Carter).

After a scoreless first quarter, Michigan scored 12 points in the second quarter on a safety (Carlton Rose blocked an Iowa punt out of the end zone), a 44-yard field goal by Ali Haji-Sheikh, and an 11-yard touchdown pass from Steve Smith to split end Vince Bean.

Late in the fourth quarter, Iowa quarterback Chuck Long put the Hawkeyes on the scoreboard with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Mike Hufford.

Carter caught the ball on a crossing pattern at the 25-yard and, with a good block from Vince Bean, sprinted down the sideline to the end zone.

Later in the quarter, Eason threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to Oliver Martin, and the game was tied, 10–10, at halftime.

With 27 seconds remaining, Illinois had a fourth-and-goal from the two, but a wall of Michigan's defenders stopped tailback Dwight Beverly for no gain.

The game was broadcast nationally on CBS, and the win clinched the Big Ten title and Rose Bowl berth for Michigan.

In the first quarter, Michigan opened the scoring with a 48-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Steve Smith to flanker Anthony Carter.

In the second quarter, Al Sincich recovered a Boilermaker fumble at Purdue's 25-yard line to set up a 26-yard field goal by Ali Haji-Sheikh.

[17][18] In the second quarter, Purdue's Mel Gray scored on a one-yard run to narrow Michigan's lead to 17–7.

[17][18] In his final game at Michigan Stadium, Anthony Carter caught three passes for 123 yards, two of the catches for touchdowns.

Fans carried the south goal post out of the stadium, down State Street, and to the doorstep of university president Harold Shapiro.

After the Carter fumble, Ohio State ran three plays culminating with the game-winning touchdown on a one-yard run by Tim Spencer.

Michigan coach Bo Schembechler defended Carter after the game: "We pitched the ball late, poor damn kid.

Schembechler said his staff had seen Ohio State utilize the illegal technique on film and had read about it in a Columbus newspaper story.

On Michigan's third play from scrimmage, All-Big Ten offensive tackle Rich Strenger sustained an injury to his knee and ankle and did not return to the game.

"[21] Late in the first quarter, UCLA drove 80 yards, aided by a pass interference penalty that resulted in a first-and-goal.

On the next possession by Michigan, Smith suffered a separated shoulder when he was hit hard by Don Rogers after an eight-yard gain.

Prior to the Rose Bowl, Hall had completed seven of 14 passes, principally appearing in games where Michigan was well ahead.

The Bruins recovered at midfield and, seven plays later, John Lee kicked a 39-yard field goal with less than 30 seconds left in the half.

[23][21] In the third quarter, Michigan drove 47 yards, capped by a one-yard touchdown pass from Hall to fullback Eddie Garrett on fourth down.

[23][21] Early in the fourth quarter, UCLA threatened to put the game out of reach, driving 65 yards, but the Wolverine defense held on fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line.

Haji-Sheikh's attempted onside kick was grabbed by UCLA, and the Bruins ran the clock under two minutes before punting.

Carter also won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football award as the most valuable player in the Big Ten Conference.

[26] During his career, Carter set an NCAA record with an average of 17.4 yards per touch (including receptions, rushing carries, and kick returns).

Four additional players received second-team honors: quarterback Steve Smith (AP-2), defensive lineman Winfred Carraway (UPI-2), linebacker Mike Boren (AP-2, UPI-2), and placekicker Ali Haji-Sheikh (AP-2, UPI-2).