THE SIDELINES : Md. Back Wins Academic Appeal

Redshirt freshman Frank Wycheck, one of the main weapons in the University of Maryland’s one-back offensive set, has narrowly averted being ruled academically ineligible for the 1990 football season.

Wycheck was declared academically eligible Wednesday after the academic support group within the university’s athletic department reviewed his appeal.

Wycheck, 6-feet-2 and 214 pounds, was declared academically ineligible Tuesday by the same group because he was two-thousandths of a point away from the needed grade point average of 1.78, out of a possible 4.0.

The loss of Wycheck could have been devastating for the Terrapins, who are using the one-back set as their base offense this year. Maryland opens its season Saturday against Virginia Tech at Byrd Stadium.