It appears Allen already is in midseason form with his patented celebration.

The Jayhawks had plenty to rejoice about during Saturday morning’s scrimmage at Shawnee Heights, which attracted a crowd of several hundred fans. Unlike a week earlier, KU’s offense had a little more of everything from points and touchdowns to sacks and fumbles.

“I thought it was good for us,” Allen said. “We got out in a little different environment. It was a nice day. I thought we saw some good things on both sides of the football. We’ve got a lot of work to do, but I think there’s some things to work with there.”

As far as KU’s arms race is concerned, sophomore quarterback Zach Dyer and red-shirt freshman Mario Kinsey had nearly identical numbers. Dyer was 6-of-9 passing for 47 yards while Kinsey was 5-of-9 for 47 yards.

“I think overall it was a pretty good day,” Dyer said. “We got quite a few things that we can take from it. It was definitely a good thing to get out here in front of a crowd, get good live scrimmage situations. Basically, we’ll take a look at the video and learn from it.”

Kinsey was the Jayhawks’ leading rusher with seven carries for 46 yards, although he didn’t find the end zone like last week’s phantom TD. Dyer also had seven carries four of them were sacks for minus-12 yards.

“I feel a lot more comfortable,” Kinsey said. “I think I’m learning more from coach (Jay) Johnson every day about a lot of stuff. He’s teaching me what to read, when to read, when to check. I think I’m coming along with it well, better than I was at the beginning of spring ball.”

Of the 23 points scored Allen opted to forgo the extra-point attempt on the final score Dyer and Kinsey accounted for 10 of them against the first- and second-team defenses.

“I think we’re seeing separation,” Allen said. “Those two are our two best right now, although you hate to say that because Kevin did some good things. I guess the best way to explain the quarterback situation a week ago I think the quarterback situation was a liability; today I think it was an (asset).”

Red-shirt QB Kevin Long completed three passes for 42 yards, including a 29-yard TD all to junior wide receiver Marcellus Jones. The other touchdown was on a 42-yard bomb from sophomore Kyle Cernech to junior wideout T.J. Hackler on the former’s only pass and the latter’s lone catch.

Although Allen has yet to tap his starting QB, there isn’t any animosity among the signal-callers.

“All the quarterbacks me, Zach, Jonas (Weatherbie), Kevin, Kyle and Jeff (Reinert), we’re all real close,” Kinsey said. “We kick it sometimes. We’re just like a big family. We’re all cool.”

Despite allowing 23 points, KU’s defense continued to impress Allen. All told the Jayhawks forced four fumbles recovering one to thwart a drive inside the 10-yard line and had four sacks.

“We’ve got some guys playing in there decently,” Allen said of the defense. “I think that they’re kind of learning the scheme. I think Marcus Rogers did a good job for us. I think that Travis Watkins continues to do a good job at the defensive end position.”

Notes: KU’s quarterbacks completed 15 passes to eight different receivers, although senior receiver Harrison Hill was shutout again. The kicking game is taking shape, with red-shirt freshman Chris Tyrrell booming a 40-yard punt, and freshman Phillip Case drilling a 37-yard field goal. The only injury of note was sophomore running back Reggie Duncan (13 carries for 34 yards) who appeared to be receiving treatment on his left ankle. Allen said Duncan would be fine, though. The Jayhawks will have today off, then practice Monday, Tuesday and Thursday in preparation for Saturday’s annual spring game at Memorial Stadium.