While Penn State and Maryland will be playing in the same stadium tomorrow, each team has taken a different route in getting there.

Penn State is arriving in the fast lane, fresh off a 3-0 start.

Maryland, on the other hand, has sputtered at the end of its first three games, having blown fourth-quarter leads each time.

In its opener at then-No. 25 Virginia, Maryland took a 15-12 fourth quarter lead only to let it evaporate into a 28-15 loss.

In the Terrapins' following game against No. 18 North Carolina State, they carried a 10-7 lead into the final quarter, but a late Wolfpack touchdown sent Maryland to its second loss in as many games.

Then, in their third game against West Virginia, the Terps finally appeared to be firing on all cylinders, as they built a 33-14 lead after three quarters. But the Mountaineers staged a furious fourth-quarter rally, scoring three touchdowns to come away with a 34-33 victory.

"Our team has showed excellent effort and emotion," said Maryland Coach Mark Duffner, who was close to tears after the loss to N.C. State. "We have to execute more effectively in the fourth quarter."

Despite Maryland's rough start, Penn State Coach Joe Paterno is still wary of the Terps.

"They have had some tough luck," he said. "They're 0-3 but they should be 2-1 and easily could be 3-0."

Paterno is especially worried about Maryland's high-powered no-huddle offense.

"It's a one-back set, but I'm not so sure I'd call it a run-and-shoot," Paterno said. "That puts a lot of pressure on your defensive signal calling. There's not a lot of time to make a judgement. That's the way that offense puts unique pressure on you."

Paterno is also concerned that the Maryland offense might be able to take its toll on the Lion defense.

"They run a lot of plays and try to wear you down," he said. "They had over 100 plays against North Carolina State and close to that in their other games."

While Maryland has faced a tough schedule -- its opponents have a combined record of 8-1-1. On the other hand, Penn State has tackled three very non-descript teams.

The Terps are likely to be the Lions' first real challenge of the season, and Paterno said he and his players are looking forward to the task.

"They're anxious for the challenge and I think they need a tough football game," said Paterno. "We know Maryland has comparable athletes and is highly motivated."

Maryland's game against Penn State will mark the third time in four games that the Terps have played a ranked opponent.