Interim head coach Mike Locksley talks to defensive back Sean Davis during the Terps’ 31-30 loss to Penn State at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Oct. 24, 2015.

Terrapins football interim coach Mike Locksley shook his head Tuesday in disbelief at the staggering stat.

A reporter had just mentioned the Terps’ turnover woes — nine in the last two weeks — and all Locksley could do was chuckle.

The Terps have the worst turnover margin in the nation despite tying for 67th in caused turnovers. This season, they’ve averaged two more turnovers per game than their opponents. So the Terps will try to cut down on giveaways against Wisconsin on Saturday in hopes of ending a five-game losing streak.

“It’s deflating,” Locksley said. “It’s mind-boggling, some of the egregious errors we’ve had in terms of interceptions and fumbles and penalties. They’ve been untimely.”

This past Saturday at No. 10 Iowa, the Terps had a chance to cut the deficit to 10 in the fourth quarter. But Hills threw an interception that was returned 88 yards for a touchdown. The Terps offense never recovered, gaining 6 yards the rest of the contest.

Interceptions have been the biggest problem for the Terps this season. The Terps’ interception total (23) is more than any other FBS team’s combined turnover total, which counts fumbles and interceptions.

After returning to a starting role three games ago, quarterback Perry Hills has thrown eight picks. While his legs have led the offense — he’s eclipsed 100 rushing yards in all three contests — the passing attack has struggled.

During that three-game span, Hills hasn’t thrown for more than 225 yards in a game, and he had fewer than 100 passing yards against the Hawkeyes.

“Hopefully you’ll start to see more chemistry impact the game and the timing of the routes,” freshman tight end Avery Edwards said. “We’ve got to pick up the little things.”

TERPS FACE ANOTHER STOUT DEFENSE

After the Terps offense scored one touchdown against the sixth-best scoring defense in the country, the unit will face the nation’s best scoring defense.

Wisconsin has held opponents to an average of 11 points per game this season and hasn’t given up more than 21 points since a season-opening loss to No. 7 Alabama.

The Badgers have allowed an average of eight points per game since that defeat and are allowing an average of 4.46 yards per play, 13th best in the nation.

“They’re really athletic up front,” center Evan Mulrooney said. “Their linebackers are guys that come downhill and hit you and strike you. It’s definitely going to be a challenge.”

While the Terps averaged nearly 5 yards a carry against the Hawkeyes’ vaunted rushing defense Saturday, they couldn’t translate that production into points.

Against the Badgers, who are third in the nation in total defense, the Terps likely will have to take advantage of the opportunities they get.

“It comes down to us executing every play,” Mulrooney said. “Sometimes I think we get a little bit away from that.”

FRESHMEN GETTING AN OPPORTUNITY

In the midst of a losing streak, Locksley has tried to get fringe players, such as freshmen and backups, engaged by giving them more playing time.

Against the Hawkeyes, then-backup right tackle Derwin Gray got snaps with the first-team offense, freshman cornerback Darnell Savage Jr. played about 15 defensive snaps and defensive lineman Ty Tucker was on the field-goal block unit.

Locksley hopes that given more time on the field, those types of players will become more invested in the Terps’ success.

“This is something I wanted to do right from the start,” Locksley said. “Now everyone is playing a role in whether we win or lose.”