Marcus Freeman met with reporters after Notre Dame’s convincing win over Syracuse on Saturday afternoon.

Amongst the topics covered was the lack of playing time for receiver Braden Lenzy. Despite entering the game fourth on the team in receiving so far this season, Lenzy didn’t play any offensive snaps vs. Syracuse.

Freeman had a relatively simple explanation for his absence.

“He was ill to start the week,” Freeman said, via 247Sports

. “So, we missed a practice. And then we kind of settled into trying to get a little bit more length on the field of wide out. We had a couple personnels where we wanted tall guys.

“We called it tall personnel, and the ability to get some of that length (on the field) because they have some long c

orners and we wanted to be able to challenge those guys. But it started off because of an illness.”

Lenzy did play on special teams and made a tackle on a punt return.

Notre Dame’s offense was solid vs. the Orange, although most of the production came in the running game. Michael Mayer led the team with three catches for 54 yards. Deion Colzie also had three catches for 54 yards.

Lenzy seems likely to return to his regular role in Notre Dame’s offense next weekend against Clemson.